Patrick Flanagan was the first Irish competitor in the pool today at the World Para Swimming Allianz Championships in the Heat of the S6 400m Freestyle event. A fast start to the race from his competitors meant Patrick was always struggling to make up lost ground. His finishing time of 5:39:13 was just 0.8 outside Tokyo 2020 qualification standards and was good enough for 5th place in the heat and 11th overall. This was a season’s best performance for Patrick who has been battling with an infection and had been questionable as to whether he would have been able to compete.
Sean O’Riordan was the last Irish athlete in the pool today as he competed in the first heat of the Men’s 400m Freestyle S13. Sean’s heat also contained Paralympic swimming legend Ihar Boki and it was the Belarussian that dominated from start to finish. Boki recorded a time of 4:01:49 to finish over 17 seconds ahead of 2nd place. Sean finished in 5th place in the heat in a time of 4:46:54 which was a result of 11th place overall.
Amy Marren was forced to withdraw from her heat in the 100m Freestyle because of injury. Amy will be hoping to return to the pool to compete later this week.
Day 2 of the World Para Swimming Allianz Championships will be a busy one for Team Ireland as Barry McClements, Ellen Keane and Ailbhe Kelly all make their first appearance at the Championships whilst Sean O’Riordan will return to action and Amy Marren will be hoping to shake off her injury issues. Barry McClements will be the first of the Irish in action tomorrow when he competes at in the 100m Back Crawl at 10:24am.
Results:
London 2019 World Para Swimming Allianz Championships
S6 400m Freestlyle, Patrick Flanagan, 5:39:13, 5th place, 11th overall
S13 400m Freestyle, Sean O’Riordan, 4:46:54, 5th place, 11th overall
S9 100m Freestyle, Amy Marren, INJ
Day 2 Schedule
S9 100m Backstroke, Barry McClements, 10:24am
S9 100m Backstroke, Amy Marren & Ellen Keane, 10:31am
S8 100m Backstroke, Ailbhe Kelly, 10:43am
S13 100m Backstroke, Sean O
