REBECCA REDFERN sent out a message to the world that she’s bang in form ahead of this year’s Paralympic Games in Rio as she regained her 100m breaststroke record from German rival Elena Krawzow.
The 16-year-old from Droitwich became the first swimmer in the SB13 visually impaired class to produce a sub-1:16 time as she clocked up a time of one minute and 15.96 seconds to win gold at the British Summer Championships in Sheffield.
Rebecca, also a member of Worcester Swimming Club, held the record before with her previous personal best being 1:16.86 which she achieved at April’s British para-Swimming Championships, a result which qualified her for her debut Paralympics.
However, Krawzow – a Paralympic silver medalist in the SB13 event from London 2012 – lowered the record again in June at IDM Berlin with a time of 1:16.23.
Krawzow also denied Redfern the title on her international debut at this year’s IPC European Championships in Funchal, Portugal.
The German, who also secured world gold in 2013, touched a close 0.02s ahead of the English swimmer after clocking 1:17.44 in Portugal in May.
And with both swimmers now having lowered the world record since, the renewal of their rivalry could be one of the clashes to watch out for in Rio.
Rebecca’s father Steve said: “I am surprised, shocked and chuffed to bits to see her win. Although I am very surprised she is swimming so fast at this stage of the season as she’s just come off the back of a training regime in Tenerife.
“Rebecca is over the moon because she does not like losing records. She always backs herself to do it but it would have been nice for her to do it at the Olympics.
“There’s a bit of pressure on her shoulders now being the number one and world record holder but I’m sure she’ll do well.”
Rebecca topped off her world record swim by swimming her first ever sub-30s 50m freestyle time to claim silver at the ASA National Championships, clocking 29.96s.
Following the championships, she will meet up with the rest of the Team GB squad on August 27 before flying out to Brazil to compete on September 11.
Elsewhere, Rebecca’s brother Anthony walked away with the gold medal at the Welsh Championships in the 100m freestyle race as well as gold in the 50m breaststroke in the ASA Nationals.
Steve added: “Anthony is absolutely flying at the moment. He’s performing out his skin”
