Paralympic Silver medalist Nicole Turner showed no signs of rustiness as she progressed through her heat at the Madeira 2022 World Para Swimming Championships this morning. Turner finished third in her heat and third overall in the SM6 200m Individual Medley. She will be joined in the finals session by her team mate, Barry McClements who finished 4th overall in his S9 100m Butterfly Heat. There was a championships debut for Amy Sheridan who finished 7th place in her first ever race at a major Para Swimming event.
Nicole Turner made her first appearance of the World Championships this morning in the 200m Individual Medley event at Madeira 2022. Turner raced well throughout and finished comfortably in third place with a time of 3:15.86. The Great Britain duo of, World Record holder, Maisie Summers Newton and Grace Harvey took first and second position respectively but Turner will be hopeful ahead of this evening’s final which is due to take place at 6:56pm.
Speaking after the race Turner said “It’s not my main event so I’m not putting a hell of a lot of pressure on me so if I can go faster and something comes of that I won’t complain”
Tokyo 2020 Paralympian Barry McClements comfortably qualified for his first final of the Madeira 2022 World Para Swimming Championships as he finished narrowly outside his Personal Best time as he touched the wall in a time of 1:02.82 to finish 4th but within 1 second of 3rd place. McClements will return for the final later today as he will be due to race for a medal at 7:18pm.
After his heat McClements said “Tonight I’m definitely going to be gunning for that PB, 1:01 pace maybe, hopefully, even better with the 60 point, I’m happy, it shows I’m in good form so looking forward to tonight”
Amy Sheridan was the final Irish competitor in the pool this morning as she competed in the Heats of the Women’s 100m Butterfly S9 event where she battled gamely to finish in 7th place in her first ever event at a major championships. Despite not progressing through to the final Amy was very upbeat about her first experience of the World Championships:
“It’s been a really good experience, I loved it, to finally be able to get out and race, it’s so good.”
“Thanks so much, it’s been such a pleasure to have these people following me and where I come in my swimming and, to have that support, it’s amazing.”
