Suzuki record just splashing
NORTHUMBRIA University swimmer and five-time Paralympic medallist Taka Suzuki has splashed out on a new world record at the Speedo BUCS Short Course Championship.
International Sport Management MA student Suzuki set the time in the S4 100m short course freestyle event at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Pool – where he captured three gold medals.
The three-day event kicked off the start of the swimming season for universities across the country, students of all abilities having the opportunity to take part in the contest.
The world record added another accolade to Suzuki’s list of sporting successes this year, including three gold medals at the Speedo BUCS Long Course Championships in February.
In April, he ended the World Para Series in Glasgow as the most decorated swimmer, gaining podium places in all five of his events.
In September, he won four silver medals and a bronze in the World Championships in London, followed by two gold medals at the Japan Para Championships.
In his first event of last weekend’s competition, Suzuki clinched gold in the S4 200m freestyle. The Tokyo 2020 hopeful then went on to win the S4 50m freestyle and S4 100m freestyle, the race in which he become the fastest man in the world for this race and category.
Speaking of his new world record, Suzuki said: “I was happy to have broken the world record in the 100m freestyle.
“I was only 0.6 seconds outside the world record time in the 200m freestyle and just 0.3 seconds outside in the 50m freestyle.”
Several other Northumbria students also enjoyed success at the championships.
Claire Cashmore, who is studying for a Masters in Leadership and Management and is current ITU world champion for Para triathlon, took home three gold medals. Paralympic champion and 2012 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Josef Craig secured a fourth-place position.
Three-time world and European Para triathlon champion David Ellis claimed a gold medal and sixth place.
Ten-times Paralympic medallist, Phelipe Rodrigues claimed two silvers and a bronze, adding to their team total of 82 points for the competition overall.
Head of Aquatics at Northumbria Louise Graham said: “Our para swimmers were very impressive in Sheffield again.
“Taka was dominant in the men’s freestyle events.
“Having just missed out on two world records, he was very determined to break the record on day two.
“It is a wonderful start to his Tokyo Paralympics campaign and he will no doubt use it as a platform for success in Japan next year.
“We will be supporting all of our Paralympic representatives throughout this season to ensure they are able to achieve the best possible academic results alongside their sporting endeavours.”