Japanese relay team make incredible comeback

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.