Number eight for Roberts as GB claim more medals in the pool

By Paul Carter

David Roberts continued in his bid to overtake Tanni Grey-Thompson’s record of 11 Paralympic gold medals by defending his men’s S7 100m freestyle for the third successive time.

The 28-year-old set a new Paralympic Record of 1:00.35, as he added to his Athens and Sydney titles in the same event - his 8th Paralympic gold medal in total.

It was Lantz Lamback of the USA who claimed the silver in a hotly contested race, while Roberts’s rival and countryman Matt Walker, himself a bronze medallist in the 200m individual medley the day before, survived a tight finish to come home in third once again in 1:04.17 and continue Great Britain’s impressive early run of medals in the pool.

“Not many people defend their title three times, so I’m happy,” said Roberts.

However, despite a gold medal and a Paralympic record, he was still not totally satisfied with the manner of his victory.

“I’m a bit disappointed as I wanted to go sub-59 [seconds],” he said, “but my goggles filled up with water a little bit towards the end.

“Still, if Michael Phelps can do it then so can I!”

While Roberts once again led the way in his race, two of Britain’s young female swimmers had to be content with silver medals as they finished behind two Paralympic superstars in their own events.

Heather Frederiksen came through with a strong finish to set a British record of 1:09.04 and come in second in the S8 100m freestyle behind the darling of American Paralympic sport, Jessica Long.

Louise Watkin, who only turned 16 in August, finished behind South African Natalie Du Toit in the S9 100m freestyle, with Stephanie Millward touching in fifth.

"I had no idea what to think coming into the final,” said Watkin. “I just wanted to take it as it comes. To get a silver has left me a bit speechless. At 50m I thought I had lost it so I pushed on through the final straight and can't believe I got it.

"My ultimate goal was to get one medal here and I have already done that now, which is great."