The 2019 World Para Swimming Championships took place at the London Aquatics Centre from 9-15 September. GBR had a strong team of 24 athletes competing, four of them Scots: Stephen Clegg, Louis Lawlor, Scott Quin and Toni Shaw.
The British team had a very successful meet, claiming 47 medals: 19 gold, 14 silver and 14 bronze, finishing second on the medal table behind Italy. With less than a year to go until the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics it was the perfect preparation.
The Scots on the team all contributed to the medal tally with some outstanding performances. None more so than Toni Shaw, whom was making her debut at the World event, as she won six medals – 2 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze.
Toni Shaw summed up her week, saying:
“It’s been a crazy week – a great experience. To end it with that race and those girls is really special.”
Louis Lawlor was also making his debut at the event as he continues to rise to prominence in the S14 class for swimmers with an intellectual impairment. Lawlor claimed a bronze medal in the 100m backstroke.
Lawlor was delighted with his performance and said:
“That was a huge surprise, I didn’t expect that at all. It’s a dream come true. One race, one final, one bronze! I’ve loved every minute here and this will give me a platform to move forward.”
Para swimming stalwart, Scott Quin, continues his fine form in the SB14 100m breaststroke as he delivered a silver medal, pipped by the Naohide Yamaguchi (JPN) who broke Quins WR in doing so.
Quin said of his race:
“I would have liked to have executed things a bit better. I came into the final a bit more relaxed than the heat and it’s the fourth time this season I’ve gone 65 for the event.”
Speaking about Yamaguchi taking his World Record, Quin said:
“It’s good to see the youngsters coming through and making improvements and you have to applaud that. I think he’s 18 and I’m 29 so I have to accept it when people go faster than me.”
Stephen Clegg is also realising his potential at this level by winning a silver medal in the S12 100m Butterfly final. Clegg turned first at the 50m mark and was shoulder to shoulder with Dzmitry Salei (BLR) in the final 15m. It was the athlete from Belarus who took the touch in 57.28, with Clegg winning silver in 57.36.
Despite being so close to gold, Clegg was far from disappointed and said,
“I’m really happy with that result. I’ve progressed again and that’s all you can ask for. I’ve learned a lot from the last twelve months, and I can take all of this to Tokyo. I’m thrilled, and the crowd, wow! I had goosebumps today.”