Kindred's spirit sees Sasha take gold

By Paul Carter

Reigning Paralympic champion Sascha Kindred has won Great Britain’s first gold medal in the pool after successfully defending his title in the men’s SM6 200m individual medley (IM).

Kindred also smashed his own world record by clocking a time of 2:42.19, having already set a new Paralympic record in his qualifying heat.

It marks a remarkable hat-trick for Kindred, who took gold in the same event in Athens in 2004, and Sydney in 2000.

However, China’s Yang Yuanrun proved an able competitor, going stroke for stroke with Kindred for most of the race, but a very strong breaststroke leg saw the reigning champion confirm his superiority.

“That’s five Paralympic golds and I’m very proud of myself,” said Kindred. “The Paralympics is the pinnacle of an athlete’s career and to do my fastest time here is fantastic.

“The Chinese athlete has been swimming fast all year and I knew he would be on my tail, but I held him off and I now have a hat-trick of gold medals for the 200m IM.

“Let’s wait to see what more is to come. Everyone is watching back in the village and I know my gold will inspire them all.”

GB’s swimmers were on medal form elsewhere in the Water Cube, with 2004 gold medallist Jim Anderson taking silver in the S2 200m freestyle, and Matt Walker claiming bronze in the SM7 200m IM.

Despite the early success, there was disappoinment for world record holder Natalie Jones in the SM6 200m IM, who failed to successfully defend her Paralympic title, and had to settle for bronze as American Miranda Uhl also claimed her world record.

“I’m absolutely gutted to be honest. I’m just really sorry for all of my fans back home,” she said.