Lucy, Soares deliver upsets at World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships

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Upset at World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships

A series of upsets highlighted the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Swimming Championships on Friday (1 December), as defending champions toppled to up-and-coming teenage swimmers.

Australia’s Jade Lucy collected her latest gold medal in the women’s 200m freestyle S14.

Touching in at 2:22.91, the 19-year-old beat Mexico’s defending champion Beatriz Resendiz De Garcia (2:24.46) who finished with bronze.

In doing so Lucy improved on her third place finish from the 2015 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games, which also acted as the World Championships.

The USA’s Leslie Cichoki (2:24.29) secured silver.

Australia secured a second gold in the women’s 100m backstroke S14 courtesy of Jaime-Lee Getson.

Getson (1:15.95) eased to victory over Cichoki (1:17.03), who improved on her bronze from 2015. Japan’s Kasumi Fukui (1:18.22) took third.

Seventeen-year-old Ana Karolina Soares (33.02) delivered another shock in an incredibly close women’s 50m butterfly S14. The Brazilian overcame Debora Borges Carneiro (33.93) and Chinese Taipei’s former champion Jo-in Tu (34.10) to take gold.

In the men’s 200m freestyle S14 Japan’s Shunya Murakami (2:06.15) claimed the win. France’s Nathan Maillet (2:11.49) grabbed the silver. Macau’s Yu Chia Chen (2:13.76) completed the top three.

Maillet (1:11.52) triumphed in the men’s 100m backstroke S14. His compatriot Simon Blaise (1:13.89) swam to second. South Africa’s Aaron Putz (1:14.11) was third.

Brazilian Paralympian Felipe Caltran Vila Real (27.82) topped the podium in the men’s 50m butterfly S14. In what was a close race with silver medallist teammate Gustavo De Oliveira Nunes (28.24), Vila Real just had the edge. Andre Luiz Bento Silva Filho (28.89) completed an all-Brazilian top three.

Brazil went on to set a new World Intellectual Impairment Sport world record and claim gold in the mixed 4x100m freestyle S14 relay.

Their time of 4:13.12 sets the standard for the rest of the world as it is the first time the event has been contested. Soares went out first, followed by Carneiro, Branca and Vila Real.

Australia grabbed silver thanks to Getson, Patrick Donachie, Lucy and Benjamin Morrison (4:28.15). South Africa’s Paulse Ethan, Aaron Putz, Michaela Kretzen and Cornelia Fowler (4:37.86) were third.

Soares, Debora and Beatriz Carneiro and Stephanie Ariodante put in a second impressive effort to take the win in the women’s 4x50m medley S14 relay. Their time of 2:17.65 was also a new World Intellectual Impairment Sport world record.

Japan’s Kasumi Fakui, Junko Yamane, Eri Kojima and Remi Watanabe (2:28.23) sealed silver. Australia’s India Biesse-Fitton, Bronte Marshall, Nikesha Sophia Harding and Casey Stevens (2:30.97) were third.

Brazil’s final medal of the evening came in the men’s 4x50m medley S14 relay.

Guttemberg De Souza Ferreira, Luis Henrique Sieiro, Nunes and Andre Luiz Bento Silva Filho raced to a 2:01.78 finish.

There was a close battle for silver as France just edged Japan by 0.06 seconds.

Blaise, Jacky Deforge and Maxime Dutter overcame an early Japanese lead before Maillet saw off a challenge from Yuki Yamanaka over the final 50m. France finished in 2:03.47.

Japan, led off by Taiga Hayashida followed by Yasuhiro Tanaka, Haruki Takayanagi and Yamanaka, claimed bronze in 2:03.53.

Down syndrome

In the women’s 200m freestyle Spain’s Camino Martinez De La Riva (2:59.21) was the victor.

Mexico’s Dunia Camacho Marenco (3:02.52) touched the wall for second. South Africa’s Melisa Van Bosch (3:19.03) was third.

Great Britain’s Billy Birchmore (2:36.53) just pipped Mexico’s Jesus Garcia Gonzalez (2:36.76) to gold in the men’s 200m freestyle.

“I did what I had to do,” Birchmore said.

Colombia’s Jaider Stiwen Hernandez (2:42.34) rounded-off the top three.

It was Brazil’s Caique Aimore (1:19.08) who topped podium in the men’s 100m backstroke. Hernandez (1:24.43) made it into the top three again with silver. Birchmore did the same with bronze (1:25.03).

Aimore (32.88) doubled his gold medal tally for the day in the men’s 50m butterfly. France’s Axel Belig (34.56) claimed silver ahead of Mexico’s Steven Martinez Arellano (35.74) with bronze.

In the women’s equivalent Martinez De La Riva (42.80) added to her third place from the 200m freestyle with the gold. A dramatic finish saw her edge France’s Cleo Renou (42.84) by just 0.04 seconds. Kelly Da Silva Antunes (50.51) completed the podium.

In the women’s 100m backstroke Mexico’s Mariana Escamilla Brana (1:41.70) was the victor. Her teammate Daniela Michelle De Lorea (1:47.11) followed her onto the podium. Estonia’s Maria Rein (1:50.96) rounded-off the top three.

All records are subject to ratification.

Full results are available at www.inas.org/events/results/results-2017-inas-swimming-championships

The 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships run until 3 December.

Live coverage, behind the scenes content, videos and pictures are available at World Intellectual Impairment Sport Facebook and Twitter.

Trial eligibility groups are being run in Down syndrome and autism.

Day three finals set to be close at World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Champs

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Women dive into the pool at the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships

The finals of day three at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Swimming Championships promise to be an exciting affair after a series of close heats highlighted the morning action on Friday (1 December).

In the women’s 200m freestyle S14 Australia’s 2015 bronze medallist Jade Lucy (2:25.21), qualified fastest. The USA’s Leslie Cichoki (2:25.80) was amongst the quickest yet again, leading Mexico’s defending champion Beatriz Resendiz De Garcia (2:25.82) into the top three.

In the women’s 100m backstroke Australia’s Jaime-Lee Getson (1:17.21) led 2015 bronze medallist Cichocki (1:17.47) to the wall. Japan’s Kasumi Fukui (1:18.08) was third.

Brazil’s 2015 silver medallist Gustavo De Oliveira Nunes (28.76) went quickest in the men’s 50m butterfly S14. Nunes’ Teammates Felipe Caltran Vila Real (28.84) and Andre Luiz Bento Sila Filho (29.05) were second and third.

France’s Nathan Maillet (1:12.10) led the men’s 100m backstroke S14 heats. His compatriot Simon Blaise (1:15.00) was second. Putz (1:15.52) qualified for his second final in third.

In the men’s 200m freestyle S14 heats Japan’s Shunya Murakami (2:07.22) led the field. France’s Nathan Maillet (2:11.22) was second and Macau’s Yu Chia Chen (2:17.22) third.

South Africa’s Aaron Putz (2:19.29) also qualified for the final in fourth: “I feel good actually. I can’t be unhappy with that, it was a good morning swim,” Putz said. “I just kept my pace like I was meant to and put it up each 50.”

There was further Brazilian success in the women’s 50m butterfly. Ana Karolina Soares (32.67) and Deborah Borges Carneiro (33.46) will go for further golds this evening as the first and second fastest, respectively. Australia’s Nikesha Sophia Harding (34.34) completed the top three.

Down syndrome

Mexico’s Jesus Garcia Gonzalez (2:41.67) is in pole position in the men’s 200m freestyle heats. Colombia’s Jaider Stiwen Hernandez (2:41.89) was close behind in second. Great Britain’s Billy Birchmore (2:44.37) was third.

In the women’s equivalent Mexico’s Dunia Camacho Marenco (3:06.31) was first. Spain’s Camino Martinez De La Riva (3:09.21) and Paola Veloz Barcenas (3:17.43) were second and third respectively.

Brazil’s Caique Aimore (1:19.86) qualified fastest in the men’s 100m backstroke heats. Birchmore (1:24.13) was second and Hernandez (1:26.94) third.

In the women’s 100m backstroke heats Mexican teammates Marianna Escamilla (1:43.82) and Daniela Michelle De Lorea (1:49.31) were first and second. Estonia’s Maria Rein (1:51.44) completed the top three.

In the men’s 50m butterfly heats Mexico’s Jose Enrique Melo Cruz (35.41) led the field. France’s Axel Belig (35.48) was not far behind his rival in second. Spain’s Carlos Hernandez Ortiz (35.99) completed the top three.

France’s Cleo Renou (46.75) led the women’s 50m butterfly heats. Spain’s Camino Martinez (47.90) was second and Brazil’s Kelly Da Silva Antunes (50.75) third.

Youth (under-17)

Mexico’s Alejandro Alvarado Alvarado (2:20.40) claimed gold in the men’s 200m freestyle. Alvarado’s teammate Nathum Hernandez Cetina (2:25.39) secured silver.

Certina (32.58) went on to claim gold in the men’s 50m butterfly.

Kaio Adriano Olivier (1:08.06) was the victor in the men’s 100m backstroke, claiming another title for Brazil.

Full results are available here.

The 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships run until 3 December.

Live coverage, behind the scenes content, videos and pictures are available at World Intellectual Impairment Sport Facebook and Twitter.

Trial eligibility groups are being run in Down syndrome and autism.

Brazilian women secure World Intellectual Impairment Sport relay world record

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Relay teams line-up up on the podium

The Brazilian women’s 4x100m freestyle S14 relay team set a new International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) world record at the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships on Thursday (30 November).

Debora Borges Carneiro, Stephanie Ariodante, Beatriz Borges Carneiro and Ana Karolina Soares (4:30.19) dominated the race in Aguascalientes, Mexico. They shaved more than one second off the previous record of 4:31.68.

Australia’s Jade Lucy, India Biesse-Fitton, Jaime-Lee Getson and Nikesha Sophia Harding (4:48.42) secured silver.

Mexico impressed with a top three finish at home. Darianna Stefania, Arleth Alacantra Rico, Nora Elisa Garcia Sanchez and Mariana Diaz De La Vega (5:17.79) claimed bronze.

There was also a new World Intellectual Impairment Sport record in the mixed 4x100m medley relay S14. As it was the first time the event has been run at this level, Brazil’s winning time of 4:41.59 lays down the marker for the rest of the world.

Kaio Adriano Olivier Branco, Beatriz Borges Carneiro, Felipe Caltran Vila Real and Ana Karolina Soares Oliveira claimed the gold.

Japan’s Kasumi Fukui, Yasuhiro Tanaka, Haruki Takayanagi and Haruna Ogawa (4:43.88) sealed silver.

South Africa’s Michaela Kretzen, Aaron Putz, Paulse Ethan and Cornelia Fowler (5:17.27) completed the top three with bronze.

In the men’s 200m breaststroke S14 Japan’s Sninichi Hirota (2:44.75) improved on his silver medal from 2015. The 21-year-old led a Japanese one-two as Ryo Muramatsu (2:44.93) claimed silver. South Africa’s Aaron Putz (2:46.71) added to his medal haul with bronze.

Brazilian twins Beatriz (3:02.94) and Debora Borges Carneiro (3:04.59) claimed gold and silver respectively in the women’s 200m breaststroke SB14. Japan’s Remi Watanabe (3:12.70) completed the podium.

Just three-tenths of a second separated gold and silver in the women’s 50m backstroke S14.

Australia’s Jaime-Lee Getson (34.69) just pipped Japan’s Kasumi Fukui (34.99) to gold. The USA’s Leslie Cichocki (35.07) completed the top three.

In the men’s 50m backstroke S14 Brazil’s Gutemberg De Souza (31.83) touched in first. Australia’s Jarrod Lee (32.99) was second and Brazil’s Andre Luiz Bento Silva (33.17) was third.

The Brazilian men claimed gold in the men’s 4x100m freestyle S14. Andre Luiz Bento Silva Filho, Gustavo De Oliveira Nunes, Gutemberg De Souza and Felipe Caltran Vila Real (3:55.70) dominated.

France’s Maxime Dutter, Simon Blaise, Mathis Daniel and Nathan Maillet (4:04.52) swam well to secure the silver. The Spanish team of Luis Francisco Paredes, Javier Labrador Fernandez, Alejandro Meneses Madero and Adrian Manuel Santana (4:12.66) took bronze.

Down syndrome

Brazil’s Caique Aimore (35.91) won the men’s 50m backstroke Down syndrome with ease. The 24-year-old triumphed over Great Britain’s silver medallist Billy Birchmore (37.48). Mexico picked up their latest medal courtesy of Jesus Garcia Gonzalez (40.94) with bronze.

In the women’s Mexico’s Mariana Escamilla Brana (47.85) was the victor, followed by her teammate Sarahi Narvaes Alarcon (50.77). Estonia’s Maria Rein (51.83) was third.

Full results are available at www.inas.org/events/results/results-2017-inas-swimming-championships

The 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships run until 3 December.

Live coverage, behind the scenes content, videos and pictures are available at World Intellectual Impairment Sport Facebook and Twitter.

Trial eligibility groups are being run in Down syndrome and autism.

Australia’s Lucy defends title at 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships

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Australia’s Jade Lucy successfully defended her title in the women’s 400m freestyle S14 at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Swimming Championships on Thursday (30 November).

Lucy (5:03.81) saw off a challenge from Mexico’s silver medallist Beatriz Resendiz De Garcia (5:07.29) at the halfway mark. The USA’s Leslie Cichocki (5:15.34) made it onto the podium once again with bronze.

The men’s 400m freestyle S14 was won by Japan’s Shunya Murakami (4:39.54). He eased to victory over Yuki Yamanaka (4:41.32) and Spain’s Luis Francisco Paredes (4:45.68) in second and third respectively.

In the women’s 400m individual medley S14, Chinese Taipei’s multiple champion Jo-Lin Tu struck gold again.

Tu is a serial medallist from World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships in past years, but in 2015 was disqualified from the race. This time however, the 26-year-old claimed the win in 6:27.31. The Czech Republic’s Adela Mikova (6:48.78) took silver. The USA’s Gina Grant (8:14.19) was third.

Japan’s Taiga Hayashida (5:15.18) secured the win in the men’s 400m individual medley SM14. South Africa’s Aaron Putz (5:32.58) followed up on his gold medal from Wednesday (30 November) with silver. The USA’s Jonathan Pierce (5:35.13) completed the podium.

It was a Japanese one-two in the men’s 200m breaststroke heats. Japan’s Shinichi Hirota (2:45.67) and Ryo Muramatsu (2:47.82) took first and second respectively. Putz (2:50.49) is in a good position to claim another medal as the third fastest.

Brazil’s Beatriz Borges Carneiro (3:06.00) went quickest in the women’s 200m breaststroke SB14. Debora Borges Carneiro (3:08.29) was second. Japan’s 2015 silver medallist Remi Watanabe (3:13.58) was third.

The men’s 50m backstroke heats saw Brazil’s Gutemberg De Souza (32.70) touch first. South Africa’s Paulse Ethan (33.08) heads through second quickest. Brazil’s Andre Luiz Bento Silva (33.58) was third.

In the women’s Australia’s Jaime-Lee Getson (35.16) led the field. Cichocki (35.45) will go for another medal in second. Japan’s Kasumi Fukui (36.47) was third.

Down syndrome

Great Britain’s Billy Birchmore (5:59.29) won his second gold medal in the men’s 400m freestyle. Two Colombians completed the podium – Jose Miguel Ramirez Gonzales (6:07.26) and Jadier Stiwen Hernandez (6:07.64) claimed silver and bronze.

Birchmore (37.44) also heads to the final of the men’s 50m backstroke in pole position. Brazil’s Caique Aimore (37.59) was second. Mexico’s Jesus Garcia Gonzalez (41.24) completed the top three.

Spain’s Camino Martinez De La Riva (6:25.96) was the victor in the women’s 400m freestyle. Mexico’s Dunia Camacho Marenco (6:29.69) claimed silver with teammate Paola Veloz Barcenas (7:02.05) in third.

In the women’s 400m individual medley South Africa’s Melisa Van Bosch (8:06.10) claimed the win.

In the women’s 50m backstroke, Mexico’s Mariana Escamilla Brana (47.85) secured gold. Compatriot Sarahi Narvaes (50.77) won silver and Estonia’s Maria Rein (51.83) took bronze.

Van Bosch (4:06.15) also won gold in the women’s 200m breaststroke. Brazil’s Kelly Da Silva Antunes (4:10.35) took silver and Estonia’s Maria Rein (4:16.12) bronze.

The men’s 200m breaststroke was won by Carlos Hernandez Ortiz (3:32.10).

Autism

Mexico’s Marco Antonio Martinez (5:35.38) claimed the win in the men’s 400m freestyle, adding yet another gold medal to the hosts’ haul.

The USA’s Anna Beem (52.11) won the women’s 50m backstroke.

Youth

Mexico’s Alejandro Alvarado Alvarado (5:06.56) won the men’s 400m freestyle, his third gold medal in two days.

Brazil’s Kaio Adriano Olivier (32.17) was the victor in the men’s 50m backstroke.

Full results are available at www.inas.org/events/results/results-2017-inas-swimming-championships

The 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships run until 3 December.

Live coverage, behind the scenes content, videos and pictures are available at World Intellectual Impairment Sport Facebook and Twitter.

Trial eligibility groups are being run in Down syndrome and autism.

Brazil dominate with six golds at 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships

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Brazilian swimmers secured an incredible five gold medals at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Swimming Championships on Wednesday (30 November).

With 1,000 days to go until the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, 21-year-old Andre Luiz Bento Silva led a trio of his countrymen in the men’s 50m freestyle S14.

Silva (26.02) just edged his teammate Gustavo De Oliveira Nunes (26.34) to the wall. Guttenberg De Souza (27.08) claimed bronze, repeating his performance from 2015.

Brazil collected another gold medal in the women’s 50m freestyle S14. Teenager Ana Karolina Soares Oliveira, 17, sent a clear message to her competitors with a 28.94 finish for gold. Japanese 18-year-old Kasumi Fakui (30.33) was second. The USA’s Leslie Cichoki (30.49) completed the podium.

Soares Oliveira (2:46.89) went on to secure her second gold of the evening in the women’s 200m backstroke S14. Australia’s Jaime-Lee Getson (2:50.56) claimed silver whilst Angelica Koniecko (2:53.23) was third.

Felipe Caltran Vila Real (2:27.33) was the victor in the men’s 200m individual medley SM14. South Africa’s Aaron Putz (2:28.90) secured silver and France’s Nathan Maillet (2:32.49) bronze.

The Brazilian women’s 4x50m S14 relay team delivered their country’s fifth gold medal of the evening. Ana Karolina Soares Oliveira, Debora Borges Carneiro, Stephanie Ariodante and Beatriz Borges Carneiro touched in at 1:58.51.

There was a close fight for second, but Australia’s Jade Lucy, Casey Stevens, Nikesha Sophie Harding and Jamie-Lee Getson (2:07.16) just edged the silver. Eri Kojima, Remi Watanabe, Kasumi Fukui and Haruna Ogawa (2:07.34) were third for Japan.

Caique Aimore (29.70) won Brazil’s final gold in the men’s 50m freestyle Down syndrome.

Great Britain’s Billy Birchmore (30.84) and Jaider Stiwen Hernandez (31.49) were second and third respectively.a

The win in the women’s 200m individual medley SM14 was taken by Harding (2:46.02) for Australia. Beatriz Borges Carneiro (2:51.20) picked up another medal for Brazil with silver.  Getson (2:53.73) was third for her second podium of the evening.

Putz improved on his earlier silver medal from the medley in the men’s 200m backstroke S14. The 21-year-old sealed gold in 2:38.08 ahead of Spain’s Adrian Manuel Santana (2:44.44). Putz’s teammate Paulse Ethan 2:44.84 was close behind in third.

In the men’s 4x50m S14 relay France were the victors in 1:47.68. Maxime Dutter, Nathan Maillet, Simon Blaise and Jacky Deforge stepped onto the top of the podium.

Japan’s Yuki Yamanaka, Takashi Okamoto, Haruki Takayanagi and Shunya Murakami (1:49.81) were second. Spain’s Luis Francisco, Javier Labrador Fernandez, Alejandro Meneses Madero and Adrian Manual Santana (1:56.44) took bronze.

Down syndrome

Mexico rounded off a great day with their latest gold medals, bringing their total to seven in just 12 hours.

Daniela Michelle De Lorea took first in the women’s 200m individual medley in 3:44.05. Brazil’s Kelly Da Silva Antunes (3:48.78) was second. Rounding off the podium was Estonia’s Maria Rein (3:54.48) in third.

Jesus Garcia Gonzalez (3:01.68) put in a strong performance to claim the win in the men’s.

Spain’s Carlos Hernandez Ortiz (3:04.04) and Mexico’s Jonathan Trejo Garcia (3:28.25) completed the podium.

Full results are available at www.inas.org/events/results/results-2017-inas-swimming-championships

The 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships run until 3 December. The competition features S14 swimmers, youth (under 17s) as well as trial eligibility groups in Down syndrome and autism.

Live coverage, behind the scenes content, videos and pictures are available at World Intellectual Impairment Sport Facebook and Twitter.

Mexico win first medals at 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships

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The first morning session of the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships delivered five gold medals for the hosts on Wednesday (29 November) in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

Mexico grabbed their first two gold medals of the competition in the youth category.

Alejandro Alvarado (28.35) touched in first to claim gold in the 50m freestyle. Compatriot Angel Fernando Gutierrez (29.34) claimed silver.

Alvarado went on to take gold in the 200m individual medley in 2:41.16.

In the final of the women’s 200m backstroke Down syndrome Mariana Escamilla Brana (3:45.68) continued the Mexican gold rush. She was joined on the podium by two of her teammates.

Sandra Cecilia Del Real (4:04.30) took silver whilst Sarahi Narvaes Alarcon (4:15.82) secured bronze.

Mexico’s Dunia Camacho Marenco (13:16.15) was the victor in the women’s 800m freestyle Down syndrome. South Africa’s Melisa van Bosch (14:16.22) was second and Mexico’s Paola Veloz Barcenas (14:29.15) took bronze.

Mexico’s Marco Antonio Martinez (11:28.97) leaves Aguascalientes with gold after winning the men’s 800m freestyle autism.

S14

The men’s 50m freestyle S14 heats saw three Brazilians finish in the top three. Brazil’s Gustavo De Oliveira Nunes (26.30) qualified fastest ahead of teammate Andre Luiz Bento Silva Filho (26.40). Gutemberg De Souza (27.26) was third.

The women’s saw Japan’s Kasumi Fukui (30.32) touch the wall in first. Brazil’s Ana Karolina Soares (30.42) was second. The USA’s Leslie Cichocki (31.16), the 2015 silver medallist, was third.

Paralympian Felipe Caltran Vila Real (2:32.43) led the heats in the men’s 200m individual medley SM14. South Africa’s Aaron Putz (2:33.22) was second with France’s Nathan Maillet (2:34.12) third.

Australia’s Nikesha Sophie Harding (2:48.78) went quickest in the women’s 200m individual medley SM14. Brazil’s Beatriz Borges Carneiro (2:54.41) was second and Austria’s Janina Falk (2:55.10) third.

Putz heads through to the men’s 200m backstroke S14 final as the fastest with a time of 2:35.97. His teammate David Coates (2:46.34) was second.  Spain’s Adrian Manuel Santana (2:47.61) was third.

In the women’s heats Brazil’s Ana Karolina Soares Oliveira (2:47.00) led the field. Cichoki (2:50.53) was second followed by Poland’s Angelica Koniecko (2:53.62).

The USA’s Jonathan Pierce led the way in the men’s 800m, dominating the longer distance in 9:56.63.

Australia’s Benjamin Morrison (9:59.31) was second. Japan’s Kenichiro Matsuda (9:59.83) third.

Mexico’s Beatriz Resendiz De Garcia (10:30.78) will lead the women’s event this evening. Australia’s Jade Lucy (10:32.55) was second and Falk (11:22.03) third.

Down syndrome

Great Britain’s Billy Birchmore claimed gold in the men’s 200m backstroke. A strong swim from the Brit saw him take the win in 3:04.21. Birchmore was followed onto the podium by Mexico’s Juan Carlos Hermosillo (3:22.63). Pedro Fernandes Domingues (3:27.52)

Birchmore also set a competition best in the men’s 50m freestyle heats with a 30.56 swim. Brazil’s Caique Aimore (30.59) and Colombia’s Jaider Stiwen Hernandez (32.77) completed the top three.

Spain’s Camino Martinez (37.74) heads into the final of the women’s fastest. Mexican teammates Duni Camacho (38.25) and Paolo Veloz Barcenas (38.54) will also go for medals in this evening’s finals.

Stiwen Hernandez was then the victor in the men’s 800m freestyle, securing gold in 12:43.12. Jonathan Trejo Garcia (12:49.17) took silver for the hosts. He was followed onto the podium by Mexico’s Giovanni Flores Hernandez (13:32.72) in third.

Spain’s Camino Martinez (37.74) heads into the final of the women’s as the fastest swimmer. Mexican teammates Duni Camacho (38.25) and Paolo Veloz Barcenas (38.54) will also go for medals in this evening’s finals.

In the women’s 200m individual medley heat Mexico’s Daniela Michelle De Lorea (3:47.37) went quickest. Spain’s Camino Martinez De La Riva (3:47.58) was second. Brazil’s Kelly Da Silva Antunes (3:53.10) was third.

Full results are available at www.inas.org/events/results/results-2017-inas-swimming-championships

The 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships run until 3 December.

Live coverage, behind the scenes content, videos and pictures are available at World Intellectual Impairment Sport Facebook and Twitter.

Stage set for historic 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships

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A swimmer emerged from the water

Getty Images

More than 150 athletes from 20 countries are ready for the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Swimming Championships which get underway in Aguascalientes, Mexico, on Tuesday (28 November).

The competition will be the first World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships to be held in the Americas. It will also see the debut of trial eligibility groups for Down syndrome and autism.

In the existing S14 classification a star-studded line-up features returning champions, medallists and Paralympians.

Brazil’s Felipe Caltran Vila Real is one of the headline acts.

Vila Real is the defending champion from the 2015 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games, which also act as the World Championships, in the men’s 200 butterfly. He is also a silver medallist in the 400m individual medley.

“I expect it to be a Championship full of good memories and achievements for me,” he said. “I expect a good competition because the athletes there are really determined.”

Also returning as a triple world champion is Chinese Taipei’s Jo Lin Tu in the women’s S14. Tu grabbed gold in the 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly in 2015.

Two Australians will be Tu’s main rivals – Nikesha Harding and Jade Lucy.

Harding has her eye on the defence of her 50m breaststroke gold as well as good results in other events.

“When I became the 50m breaststroke champion at the Global Games it was my greatest moment!” Harding said. “I had specifically prepared for this event. I will certainly fight to retain my title in Mexico but there is an exceptional field of swimmers to beat. I have specialised in butterfly and I aim for fantastic results in the 50m, 100m and 200m fly. These are my pet events.

“I feel strong and ready to take on the world’s best in Mexico. I earned the nickname ‘The Machine’ in Ecuador and I will make my country proud.”

Jade Lucy is aiming to retain her 400m and 800m freestyle titles.

“Hopefully I can repeat my performance from the Global Games in 2015,” Harding said. “The 400 free is one of my favourite events. I like the 800 free but don’t have many opportunities to race it.”

Morning sessions begin at 9am (CST) and afternoon sessions at 4pm each day.

Live results will be available here throughout the competition.

Medals will be awarded in four separate categories – S14, Down syndrome, autism and youth (under 17s).

Where there are enough athletes in the Down syndrome category to hold heats and finals, the finals will be contested in the afternoon sessions.

All other races will be run in the morning sessions as mixed class, with the winners in each trial category (Down syndrome and autism) awarded medals accordingly. The S14 athletes in those races will then advance to the finals in the afternoon session.

Live updates and behind the scenes content will be available at World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

Mills top scorer as Australia Gold take Worlds victory

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A group of female basketball players with intellectual impairments

Credit: Australian Pearls

Australia Gold claimed the women’s title at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Basketball Championships on Saturday (25 November) as Eliza Mills was named best female player and top scorer across the tournament in Loano, Italy.

The Golds played their compatriots Australia Green in the final. Both teams dominated the women’s 3×3 competition, the first time the format has been played at a World Championships.

The Greens opened the scoring with two baskets but were eventually overcome by their opponents. Jess McCulloch led the scoring for the silver medallists with four points.

Meanwhile all five players bagged points for the Golds, with Kaitlyn Papworth the top scorer with five points.

Mills claimed the overall top scorer accolade with 27 points from five games.

In the men’s 5×5 France claimed the title over 2013 world champions Portugal with a 66-31 win.

Australia were third, beating Poland 88-52. Jake De La Motte was the top scorer for the bronze medallists, netting 111 points over the Championships.

The 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport World Basketball Championships featured men’s and women’s teams from six countries – Australia, France, Poland, Portugal, Egypt and Japan.

Brazilian twins aim to make a splash at swimming Champs

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Two swimmers

©Alexandre Urch/MPIX/CPB

Brazilian twins Beatriz and Debora Carneiro are targeting medals and records at the upcoming International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Swimming Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

The 19-year-old pair are both swimming for honours as they take on more than 160 other athletes from 20 countries from 27 November – 3 December.

“I want to prepare for the World Championships and get a medal at both World Intellectual Impairment Sport Championships and at the World [Para Swimming] Championships,” Beatriz said.

Débora agreed: “I want to go to the podium, win medals and break many records.”

The duo are not the only twins to compete at the highest level in para sport. Hungary’s Bernadett and Illona Biacsi are Paralympic runners in the T20 classification.

Beatriz and Debora both started swimming at the age of 13. They instantly fell in love with the sport and just six years later, Beatriz represented Brazil at her home Paralympic Games at Rio 2016.

The pair confess to a sibling rivalry which pushes them to the limit: “It’s cool! She gives me strength and I give her strength as well. I beat her records and she beats mine…it is an inspiration!” Beatriz said.

For Debora, whilst admitting competing against her sibling makes her nervous, there are just two rivals she keeps an eye on: “The clock and my sister.”

Beatriz and Debora are both targeting the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games as the next major milestone in their careers.

But Debora has even higher hopes: “I want to conquer the world!”

The 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships are the biggest competition for swimmers with an intellectual impairment since Rio 2016. They are also the most important stop on the road to the 2019 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Global Games in Brisbane, Australia.

The Opening Ceremony takes place on 28 November before competition starts on 29 November.

The Championships will also be the first to feature new trial eligibility groups for Down syndrome and autism.

Live results, updates and behind the scenes content will be available at  World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

About World Intellectual Impairment Sport

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more. 

France and Australia Gold continue winning form at basketball Worlds

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The French men’s team and the Australia Gold women’s team recorded their latest victories at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) World Basketball Championships in Loano, Italy, on Wednesday (22 November).

France’s 73-57 win over Japan saw them strengthen their position at the top of group one with four points. They followed-up on their triumph over Poland in their opening match on Tuesday (21 November).

Japan and Poland, the other two teams in the group, remain without a win.

In the women’s, Australia Gold recorded their third straight win at the Palagarassini Stadium.

They were the victors over the second Australian team, Australia Green.

The Greens kept the Golds contained in the opening few minutes. However Eliza Mills was too much for them to handle, scoring an impressive six points. The final score was 13-1

Earlier that day Australia Green took on France. In what was a low-scoring, physical game, the Greens forced the match into overtime in the final minute before scoring again to decide the 10-1 result.

Jess McCulloch was the top scorer for the Greens with four points. Nicole Harris also had a great game with three points, netting an impressive goal from a seated position after being knocked to the floor.

Men’s teams from Australia, Egypt, Portugal, Poland, Japan and France are competing in Loano. Australia Gold and Green and France make up the women’s competition.

Live updates and pictures are available throughout at World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.

About World Intellectual Impairment Sport

World Intellectual Impairment Sport represents more than 300,000 athletes with intellectual impairments around the world. We give elite athletes the chance to compete at an international level and on the Paralympic stage. But we cannot continue our work towards the inclusion of the people with intellectual impairments in society without your support.

We are a registered charity and your help can make a big difference. Find out more.