Medals count climbs for Kiwis at the Pan Pacific Para-Swimming Championships

Last night (NZT) was day four of finals at the Pan Pacific Para-Swimming Championships at the Rose Bowl Aquatic Centre in California. Day four saw the NZ Para-Swim Team secure another two gold medals. The evening finals were led off by Mary Fisher competing in the S11 200m Individual Medley. Mary won the gold in a swift 2:50.26 bringing her tally to five gold medals for the meet.

In the S7 200m Individual Medley Nikita Howarth was the fastest qualifier from the heats. Nikita swam the race of her life and won the gold in an outstanding time of 2:58.85. In winning the gold Nikita's time was a new personal best and breaking the 3 minute barrier for the first time. This was Nikita's third medal of the meet and the second gold.


In other races Tayla Clement finished 5th in the S9 200m IM.

Jesse Reynolds, who has had an outstanding meet swam another two PB's. After lowering his times in the morning heats of the SM9 200m IM and S9 100m Backstroke he went onto record two fourth placings in the finals. Swimming against the strongest field assembled this year, Jesse recorded a 3.4 second PB in the 200m IM (2:27.18) and 1.02 second PB in the 100m Backstroke. It's a testament to this young man's courage and determination to swim both these events only 15 minutes apart.

Also competing on the day were Daniel Gaualofa and Christopher Arbuthnott. Daniel swam a PB in the heats of the 200m IM swimming a time of 2:31.27 - taking 1.52 seconds off his previous time. Daniel also placed 5th in the final of the S10 100 backstroke. Chris established a new PB in the heats of the S9 200m IM swimming a time of 2:34.76.

The medal count stands at 8 Gold 1 Silver 1 Bronze.

Today sees the swimmers back in action competing in the Women’s 100m Freestyle, Women’s 100m Breaststroke and Women’s 34 point 400m Freestyle Relay. Finals will start at 11.30am (NZT).

Results for Day 4 finals: