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Research into pacing for athletes with intellectual impairments

Vital research funded into pacing for athletes with intellectual impairments

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The International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) will receive funding from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to carry out classification research in athletics, swimming, Nordic skiing and cycling.

The project focuses on what impact intellectual impairments have on pacing in endurance sports. It will be carried out by the Leuven University in Belgium.

A growing number of scientists believe that pacing is linked to the brain. Several things affect this area of sport – the ability to plan tactics ahead of, and responding to tiredness during, a race and reacting to the actions of opponents.

Pacing is at least partly influenced by the intellectual capacity of an athlete. Therefore having an intellectual impairment will affect pacing ability and, as a consequence, the outcome of a race.

Insight in this area will help develop a classification system for Nordic skiing and cycling. It will also improve the existing sport specific tests for athletics and swimming.

Speaking about a total of seven research projects funded from across the para-sport spectrum, IPC Medical Director Peter Van De Vliet said:

“I would like to thank all applicants for their submission. It is great to see how an increasing number of IFs [International Federations] and sports turn their attention to a scientific approach of critically reviewing and further developing their classification system.

“Almost all applications made reference to the concepts of classification research currently adopted by the IPC, and I would like to thank the IPC Classification Research & Development Centres in assisting the IPC in promoting these concepts across the Movement.

“In the end, it was a difficult final selection under the available resources of the Grant Scheme, and the IPC is committed to further support this programme in the next years.”

Chelsey Gotell, IPC Athletes’ Council Chairperson, said: “Classification affects all athletes and is heavily discussed within the athlete community. As the Paralympic Movement continues to evolve, it is imperative that every International Federation takes a closer look at their current classification model to ensure that it is appropriately servicing their current and future athletes.

“As each International Federation embarks on critically reviewing their classification process, I urge them to engage their Athletes’ Councils and Athlete Representatives – or the IPC Athletes’ Council if they do not have a current athlete representative model in place – in the process, to ensure that the athlete voice is constructively and effectively incorporated into the future of the sport.”

Applications were reviewed by external scientific experts, and a Selection Committee made the final decision.

The IPC’s Research Grant Scheme was launched in June 2017. International Federations (IFs), International Organisations of Sports for the Disabled (IOSDs) and Recognised International Federations could apply to receive support for the development of sport-specific, evidence-based classification systems as defined in the 2015 IPC Athlete Classification Code.

Swimmers in the pool at the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships

Japan close 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships with triple gold

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Japan closed the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships in Aguascalientes, Mexico, in style on Sunday (4 December), with three gold medals.

Taiga Hayashida, Yasuhiro Tanaka, Haruki Takayanagi and Shunya Murakami (4:28.93) won the men’s 4x100m medley relay with ease.

Brazil’s Kaio Adriano Olivier Branco, Luis Henrique Sieiro, Gustavo De Oliveira Nunes and Andre Luiz Bento Silva (4:36.15) took silver. Nathan Maillet, Jacky Deforge, Mathis Daniel, Maxime Dutter (4:45.74) clinched bronze for France.

The women’s 4x100m medley relay was won by Mai Deguchi, Remi Watanbe, Chinami Harada and Haruna Ogawa (5:21.25). Australia grabbed another relay medal with silver courtesy of Jaime-Lee Getson, Bronte Marshall, Nikesha Sophia Harding and Casey Stevens (5:25.68).

Brazil’s Ana Karolina Soares Oliveira, Kelly Da Silva Antunes, Debora Borges Carneiro and Stephanie Ariodante (5:47.98) competed the top three with bronze.

Yasuhiro Tanaka (1:10.38) led an all-Japanese podium in the men’s 100m breaststroke. Teammates Taiga Hayashida (1:11.42) and Shinichi Hirota (1:14.05) took silver and bronze, respectively.

In the women’s 100m breaststroke there was gold for Brazil with Carneiro (1:22.56) claiming her latest win. Australia’s Jaime-Lee Getson (1:28.20) just edged Japan’s bronze medallist Mai Deguchi (1:28.22) by a fingernail to take silver.

Ana Karolina Soares Oliveira also leaves Aguascalientes as the most decorated athlete from the women’s S14. The Brazilian claimed four individual gold medals across five days of competition.

The combined performance of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games hosts saw them top the medals table in the S14 category with 15 golds, eight silver and five bronze. They also led the overall medals table, S14 and trial eligibility groups combined, with 25 golds, 10 silver and eight bronze medals.

Hosts Mexico finished second in the overall table with 18 golds, 14 silver and 16 bronze, including one gold, two silver and two bronze in the S14.

Australia were third with 10 titles, 13 silvers and four bronze featuring nine wins in the S14.

In the remaining events contested on day five, Spain’s Luis Francisco Parede (2:23.94) triumphed in the men’s 200m butterfly S14.

There was a Japanese double on the rest of the podium with Haruki Takayanagi (2:25.77) taking silver and Yuki Yamanaka (2:26.01) the bronze.

Australia’s Nikesha Sophia Harding (2:42.86), the silver medallist from 2015, took victory in the women’s 200m butterfly S14. The 18-year-old beat Chinese Taipei’s defending champion Jo-Lin Tu (2:50.73) who claimed second place. The USA’s Leslie Cichocki (3:02.01) completed the top three.

Maillet tied with Japan’s Shunya Murakami and Brazil’s Felipe Caltran Vila Real for the most decorated men’s S14 swimmers with two golds each.

Trial significant additional impairment groups

In the men’s 100m breaststroke – Down syndrome Caique Aimore (1:29.82) secured his seventh gold medal of the competition. His victory makes him the most decorated athlete from the trial eligibility group.

Colombia’s Jose Miguel Ramirez (1:35.13) sealed silver. Carlos Hernandez (1:36.56) doubled Spain’s medal haul for the evening with bronze.

Spain’s Dunia Camacho Marenco tied with Spain’s Camino Martinez De La Riva for the most decorated swimmer in the women’s – Down syndrome with three titles each.

Full results are available here.

The 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships ran from 28 November – 3 December.

Behind the scenes content, videos and pictures are available at World Intellectual Impairment Sport Facebook and Twitter and a newly launch Instagram account (@inas_sports)

Two eligibility groups were trialled in Aguascalientes -1. Athletes with significant additional impairment – for athletes with an intellectual impairment and a further significant impairment. Initially this will be restricted to athletes with Down syndrome. 2. For athletes with autism.

Japanese relay team make incredible comeback

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Japan claimed the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay gold in dramatic fashion at the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Swimming Championships on Saturday (2 December).

The Tokyo 2020 hosts were out of the medals until the closing stages, trailing Spain and Brazil. But a lightning penultimate leg and anchor leg from Haruki Takayanagi and Shunya Murakami pulled them back up the rankings, enough to claim the gold in 8:52.75.

Yasuhiro Tanaka and Yuki Yamanaka completed the Japanese line-up.

France’s Nathan Maillet, Mathis Daniel, Maxime Dutter and Jacky Deforge (9:07.73) claimed the silver. Spain secured bronze courtesy of Luis Francisco Paredes, Javier Labrador Fernandez, Alejandro Meneses Madero and Adrian Manuel Santana (9:19.45).

In the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay Australia were the victors courtesy of Bronte Marshall, Casey Stevens, India Biesse-Fitton and Jade Lucy (11:01.40). Brazil’s Debora Borges Carneiro, Stephanie Ariodante, Ana Karolina Soares, Oliveira and Kelly Da Silva Antunes (11:09.26) secured the silver.

In the women’s 100m freestyle S14 Oliveira (1:04.41) claimed her third gold in two days.

The Brazilian 17-year-old impressed by finishing nearly one second faster than the USA’s silver medallist Leslie Cichoki (1:05.45). Australia’s Jade Lucy (1:06.90) claimed bronze.

France’s Nathan Maillet (56.51) converted his leading heat swim from this morning into gold in the men’s 100m freestyle S14. The Brazilian duo of Andre Luis Bento Silva (59.39) and Gutemberg De Souza (59.63) collected silver and bronze respectively.

In the men’s 50m breaststroke Yaushiro Tanaka (33.20) was the victor. His teammate Shinichi Hirota (33.73) clinched the silver just a few tenths behind. The Czech Republic’s Vladimir Hlavec (34.32) was third.

In the women’s 50m breaststroke Carneiro (37.59), another teenager talent at 19, claimed the win. Australia’s Jaime-Lee Getson (39.14) secured silver as she did in 2015. Austria’s Janina Falk (41.39) secured the bronze – at the age of 14.

The men’s 100m butterfly S14 title was claimed by Gustavo De Oliveira Nunes (1:03.74). Japan’s Takayanagi (1:04.92) led teammate Murakami (1:05.57) into second.

Australia’s Nikesha Sophia Harding (1:15.32) dominated in the women’s 100m butterfly, winning in 1:15.32.

Cichoki (1:16.36) picked up another medal with silver. Chinese Taipei’s Jo-Lin Tu (1:16.90) also enjoyed her latest podium appearance with bronze.

Trial significant additional impairment groups

In the men’s 100m freestyle – Down syndrome Brazil’s Caique Aimore (1:06.68) once again topped the podium.  Colombia’s Jaider Stiwen Hernandez (1:08.28) secured silver. Great Britain’s Billy Birchmore (1:11.00) rounded off the podium.

Aimore doubled up with the win in the men’s 50m breaststroke – Down syndrome. Spain’s Carlos Hernandez Ortiz (43.39) was second. Mexico’s Jesus Salvador Montoya (47.83) completed the top three.

In the women’s 50m breaststroke – Down syndrome Kelly Da Silva Antunes (50.40) sealed another gold for Brazil. South Africa’s Melisa Van Bosch (51.42) grabbed the silver and Estonia’s Maria Rein (52.49) the bronze.

The women’s 100m freestyle – Down syndrome saw Dunia Camacho Marenco (1:21.35) claim the title. Spain’s Camino Martinez De La Riva (1:23.28) and Mexico’s Paola Veloz Barcenas (1:29.70) won silver and bronze respectively.

A close race highlighted the men’s 100m butterfly – Down syndrome. France’s Axel Belig (1:17.23) went head-to-head with Mexico’s Jesus Garcia Gonzalez (1:17.67). Belig emerged the victor as Gonzalez settled for silver. Mexico’s Steven Martinez Arellano (1:25.00) took the bronze.

The women’s was won by France’s Cleo Renou (1:44.35). Mexico’s Daniela Michelle De Lorea (1:51.66). Colombia’s Yeimy Carolina Cortes Murci (1:55.17).

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.

Two eligibility groups are being trialled in Aguascalientes -1. Athletes with significant additional impairment – for athletes with an intellectual impairment and a further significant impairment. Initially this will be restricted to athletes with Down syndrome. 2. For athletes with autism.

#Aguascalientes2017: Day four morning review

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The heat swims of the 2017 International Federation for Intellectual Impairment Sport (World Intellectual Impairment Sport) Swimming Championships delivered great performances on Saturday (2 December).

In the women’s 100m freestyle S14 Brazil’s Ana Karolina Soares Oliveira (1:03.41) had a successful return to the pool. The 17-year-old went quickest in the women’s 100m freestyle S14 after winning gold in the women’s 50m butterfly S14 on Friday (1 December).

The USA’s Leslie Cichoki (1:06.75) was second and Australia’s Jade Lucy (1:07.50) third.

France’s Nathan Maillet (58.15) advanced to the final of the men’s 100m freestyle S14 as the quickest.

Brazilian teammates Andre Luiz Bento Silva (1:00.31) and Gutemberg De Souza (1:00.74) finished within a whisker of each for second and third respectively.

Japan’s Yasuhiro Tanaka (33.01) heads through to the final of the men’s 50m breaststroke in pole position. His teammate Shinichi Hirota (33.71), the bronze medallist from 2015, was second. The Czech Republic’s Vladimir Hlavac (34.23) was third.

The women’s was led by Brazil’s Debora Borges Carneiro (38.13). Australia’s 2015 silver medallist Jaime-Lee Getson (39.73) was second and Japan’s Remi Watanabe (41.52) third.

In the men’s 100m butterfly Japan’s Haruki Takayanagi (1:04.82) is in a good position to improve on his silver medal from 2015. He leads compatriots Shunya Murakami (1:05.51) and Shota Zayasu (1:07.33) into second and third, respectively.

Cichoki (1:15.56) led the women in the 100m butterfly S14 heats. Australia’s Nikesha Sophia Harding (1:16.07) was second quickest and Chinese Taipei’s defending champion Jo Lin Tu (1:18.74), third.

Trial significant additional impairment groups

Brazil’s Caique Aimore (1:07.67) qualified fastest in the men’s 100m freestyle – Down syndrome heats. Colombia’s Jaider Stiwen Hernandez (1:10.90) was second. Great Britain’s Billy Birchmore (1:11.28) was third.

In the women’s equivalent Mexico’s Dunia Camacho Marenco (1:23.26) went quickest. Spain’s Camino Martinez De La Riva (1:29.02) was second. Mexico’s Paola Veloz Barcenas (1:29.46) was third.

The men’s 50m breaststroke – Down syndrome heat was also won by Aimore (39.55). Spain’s Carlos Hernandez Ortiz (43.70) was second and Mexico’s Jesus Salvador Montoya (46.22) was third.

The women’s event was led by South Africa’s Melisa Van Bosch (51.01). Brazil’s Kelly Da Silva Antunes (52.22) follows Van Bosch into the final in second. Mexico’s Daniela Michelle De Lorea (54.97).

In the men’s 100m butterfly – Down syndrome Birchmore (1:20.82) went quickest. France’s Axel Belig (1:21.03) was second and Mexico’s Jesus Garcia Gonzalez (1:21.31) third.

In the women’s France’s Cleo Renou (1:47.08) led the field. Mexico’s De Lorea (1:57.20) was second and Antunes (1:59.66), third.

The USA’s Anna Beam (1:37.70) won gold in the women’s 100m freestyle – autism.

Youth (under-17s)

Mexico’s Alejandro Alvarado Alvarado (1:03.13) clinched the men’s 100m freestyle title. His teammate, Angel Fernando Gutierrez (1:05.37), claimed silver.

Mexico’s Nahum Hernandez Cetina (40.99) claimed the victory in the men’s 50m breaststroke. Australia’s Jarrod Le (41.55) grabbed the silver. Cetina(1:12.51) also won gold in the men’s 100m butterfly.

Austria’s Janina Falk, 14, won gold in the women’s 50m breaststroke under-17s after her heat swim.

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.

Two eligibility groups are being trialled in Aguascalientes -1. Athletes with significant additional impairment – for athletes with an intellectual impairment and a further significant impairment. Initially this will be restricted to athletes with Down syndrome. 2. For athletes with autism.

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.

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.

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. 

Vila Real expecting ‘good memories and achievements’ at swimming Champs

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A swimmer, Felipe Caltran Vila Real, emerges from the water

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Brazilian Paralympian Felipe Caltran Vila Real has spoken of his excitement for the 2017 World Intellectual Impairment Sport Swimming Championships which get underway in Aguascalientes, Mexico, on 28 November.

The 20-year-old made his Paralympic debut at his home Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Whilst he did not make the podium he is still looking to build on the experience.

“I have no words to describe the emotions I felt in front of that crowd,” he said. “It was certainly amazing.”

As one of his country’s best swimmers with an intellectual impairment, Vila Real already has his eyes on Tokyo 2020 and major regional events:

“I expect to be there, obviously, but more than that I aim at a medal. I think a medal in the Paralympics is the main goal, but also medals at the Parapan Am Games and so on.”

Vila Real began swimming when he was two-years-old. A doctor advised his parents he should take up sports “because of [his] hyperactivity”.

He will line-up in Aguascalientes as the defending champion in the men’s 200m 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.”

Rivals

Vila Real’s rivals include Japan’s Taiga Hayashida. He took bronze behind the Brazilian in the 400m individual medley in Ecuador in 2015.

“I haven’t taken a time to look at the start lists, but I am sure there is going to be a great field of athletes over there,” Vila Real concluded.

Aguascalientes 2017 will run from 28 November – 3 December and will see more than 150 athletes from 20 countries compete. It will be the biggest gathering of swimmers with an intellectual impairment since Rio 2016.

As well as athletes with intellectual impairments, trial groups for Down syndrome and autism will also be contested for the first time.

Live updates, videos and pictures will be available throughout at  World Intellectual Impairment Sport’ Facebook and Twitter.