Kiwi para swimmers shine on world stage
The New Zealand Para swimming team have shown themselves as a strong force on the international stage.
The team of five para swimmers has been in stunning form at the four-day world para swimming series event in Berlin, wrapping up the event with 10 national and one Oceania record, a world No 3ranked performance, three swimmers achieving Commonwealth Games qualifying times and 20 personal best times.
Manawatu’s Christ Arbuthnott, Celyn Edwards (Christchurch) and Jesse Reynolds (Hamilton) were the biggest contributors, collectively smashing nine national and one Oceania record, two Commonwealth Games qualification times and Reynolds swimming into the world No 3 spot.
As well, team-mates and Rio 2016 Paralympians Rebecca Dubber (North Shore) and Tupou Neiufi (Howick Pakuranga) set a national record and swam a Commonwealth Games qualification time respectively.
Paralympics New Zealand national development coach Gary Francis said it had been an outstanding meet.
‘‘As the final event of the World Para Swimming Series the IDM Berlin Open is one of the most competitive events on the 2017 Para swimming calendar,’’ he said. ‘‘This meet has provided an invaluable opportunity for the development of our Para swimmers on their road to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
‘‘With just over three years to go until Tokyo 2020 we will move forward with plenty of momentum.’’
Arbuthnott set a national record in the men’s 200m fly and 50m backstroke, and set a personal best in the 200m backstroke.
On the final day of competition Rio 2016 Paralympian Reynolds repeated his Commonwealth Games qualifying time in the men’s 100m backstroke S9 (1:06.22), after making this mark this year at the New Zealand swim opens.
This performance ranked Reynolds No 3 in the world.
Fellow Rio 2016 team-mate Neiufi was thrilled with her time of 1:16.43 in the women’s 100m backstroke S9, achieving a Commonwealth Games qualifying time that has eluded her during competition this year.
International Para swimming debutant Edwards took his impressive national record haul at this event to a total of six, smashing the national record in the men’s 50m butterfly S8 (30.79).