Disability Sport Wales
Chwaraeon Anabledd Cymru

UPDATE FROM EARLY MORNING DAY 3

Gold medallists Simon Richardson and Ellen Hunter have been back in action in the Velodrome this morning and both have guaranteed themselves a silver apiece.

Qualifying for finals this afternoon, the Welsh medal rush is set to continue in Beijing as Richardson from Porthcawl smashed a world record in the men’s individual pursuit (LC3). He swiped four seconds off the record set by Japanese rider Masaki Fujita just minutes earlier.

“It’s a fast track here,” said Richardson. “We’ve prepared very well, we’re well coached, we’ve got the right equipment, and we’ve settled well as a team. I’m really pleased with that performance and I still feel I’ve got a bit in reserve for the final.”

Ellen Hunter, who is pilot cyclist to Aileen McGlynn of Scotland, qualified with the second fastest time in the women’s 3km individual pursuit (B&VI) behind Athens silver medallist Lindy Hou from Australia. They beat Athens gold medallist and current world record holder American Karissa Whitsell to guarantee their slot in the race for gold.

Swansea-based Jody Cundy – who has made a switch from swimming to cycling –is also in action for ParalympicsGB later today as Britain look to remain in charge of the velodrome.

Over to the pool and Wales is still celebrating the eighth gold medal of David Roberts’ Paralympic career. However, there are other Welsh swimmers who remain on course to defend their titles. Nyree Lewis of Porth won her heat this morning.

Lewis smashed her own Paralympic record in the women’s 100m backstroke (S6) heats, winning comfortably in 1:30.34, nearly two seconds inside the record she set in Athens.

Lewis is taking nothing for granted, however, with the powerful Chinese Jiang Fuying also in the final:

“I needed to be quicker this morning but heats aren’t about your fastest swim,” said Lewis. “I have made the final and I am happy. The Chinese girl wasn’t so fast in her heat so I know she has more to come. I wasn’t maxed out so I have more in me for the final too.

“But this has been such an unpredictable meet so far that you just don’t know what is going to happen.”

Her boyfriend, Sascha Kindred, also won his 100m breaststroke (SB7) heat.

Runner Tracey Hinton has bounced back from her disappointment at not qualifying for the T11 100m A final to perform well in the B event. The Cardiff athlete finished strongly to edge into second on the line in 13.18, securing sixth place overall.

“I was pleased with the race today,” she said. “I had to come back after the disappointment of last night, but I’m happier today.”

Nathan Stephens finished eighth in the F57/58 shot put with 12.57, while Kate Arnold finished ninth in her heat of the T46 100m.

Stephens, who has the discus and javelin to come, said: “I am pleased to make the final eight. It was a great competition as the world record was broken three times.”

Arnold is also looking forward to her next event, the 200m, on Thursday.

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