JASON SMYTH HAS qualified in first position for the final of the 200m T13 on Friday.
The gold medallist looked comfortable as he recorded a time of 21.48 – a personal best and just outside of the world record of 21.43.
The 25-year-old even managed to ease up 20 metres from the line, and said: ”I know I’m in good shape. I wanted to go under the world record. The main thing is I am in the final.
“I haven’t seen any of the other times but the run gives me confidence going in to tomorrow’s final.”
Meanwhile, Ellen Keane has qualified sixth for this evening’s final of the 200m Individual Medley in a time of 2:42.00. The 17-year-old, who expressed her disappointment at not competing more at the Games, will be aiming for a medal at 5.38pm.
“It’s been a bit annoying not being able to compete for the last week, but I got to watch the other guy’s races and medals so that’s been great,” she said.
“I was disappointed with that race, I’ve swam a season’s best of 2:41 this year, but I’m in the final so can’t really complain, there’s more to come.”
South African Natalie du Toit finished in 1st place with 2:36.92 with Team GB taking 2nd, 3rd and 4th places in the qualifiers.
There was disappointment for James Scully, who finished 13th in the 50m backstroke heats and outside of the times for this evening’s final.
“I was disappointed, it just didn’t feel right, the first 25m was fine, I just couldn’t get into it and pick up the pace,” he said.
“I’m still feeling really strong for the Freestyle, I was only .2 off my PB in the 200m Free split, hopefully judging by that I can go pretty fast.”
Finally, Ireland’s top C5 rider, Cathal Miller, finished in 14th position in an aggressive race in the Men’s C4-5 Road Race in Brands Hatch.
“I was delighted to finish in 14th place. That is in the top 40% in the race, not bad against professional riders like Dementyev and Gallagher who are so dominant in cycling,” said the Dublin-based civil servant, one of the most experienced cyclists on the Irish team.
