Northampton swimmer Summers-Newton claims world title hat-trick

The Northampton Swimming Club contingent pictured at the World Championships

Summers-Newton was one of four NSC swimmers taking part in the championships, and she was the star of the show as she became a three-times world champion.

Summers-Newton swam superbly to claim gold in the S6 200m individual medley in a time of 2.58.76, the 400m freestyle in 5.27.97 and the 100m breaststroke in 1.32.19.

In the breaststroke heats, Summers-Newton broke the British and European record, getting home in a time of 1.32.16.

Also winning a medal at the championships was NSC’s Scarlett Humphrey who clinched a bronze in the S11 49 Point 400m freestyle relay.

There were also notable performances from Scarlett’s sister Eliza, who claimed fifth place in the S11 200m IM, and Will Perry who twice broke the British record on his way to a fifth place finish in the 100m breaststroke.

He swam 1.26.32 in the heats and then 1.25.93 in the final.

It was also a big week for NSC director of swimming and head coach Andy Sharp, who was part of the GB coaching team for the championships.

“Our Para swimming athletes have shown what they are capable of on the world stage,” said a proud Sharp.

“All four athletes made finals and to come away with four gold medals, one bronze medal, three British records and a European record is an amazing achievement.

“A lot of work goes into these results in the weeks and months leading into the competition, but also during the meet with a number of staff on the team to help the athletes.

“The next step for these swimmers will be the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham for Will and Maisie, and for Scarlett and Eliza it will be the British Summer Championships in Sheffield in July.

“It was great to see Maisie retain her 200m IM title from 2019.

“On a personal level this was my first major championships as part of the coaching staff and so a great learning opportunity for me.

“To see British swimmers on the podium each day was very special.”

In all, Britain’s 51-strong team was made up of 29 athletes and 22 staff and they landed 38 medals in total – 17 gold, 13 silver and eight bronze.

The team finished fourth overall in the medals table.

NSC swimmers’ times

Scarlett Humphrey S11 category: 50m Freestyle Heats 34.92; 50m Freestyle Final 34.19 5th; 100m Breaststroke Final 1.37.01; 200m IM Final 3.10.16 4th;

49 Point 400m Medley Relay 4th; 100m Freestyle Heats 1.18.89; 100m Freestyle Final 1.18.76; 100m Backstroke Final 1.28.62 5th; 400m Freestyle Heat 6.14.28; 49 Point 400m Freestyle Relay Bronze Medal

Maisie Summers-Newton S6: 200m IM Final 2.58.76 Gold Medal; 400m Freestyle Final 5.27.97 Gold Medal; 100m Breaststroke Final 1.32.19 Gold Medal; 200m IM Heats 2.59.56; 200m IM Final 2.58.76 Gold Medal; 400m Freestyle Heats 5.29.32; 400m Freestyle Final 5.27.97 Gold Medal; 34 Point Medley Relay Team 6th; 100m Breaststroke Heats 1.32.16 British and European Record; 100m Breaststroke Final 1.32.19 Gold Medal; 20 Point 200m Freestyle Relay 4th

Eliza Humphrey S11 Category: 100m Breaststroke 1.36.61; 200m IM Final 3.12.44 5th; 100m Freestyle Heats 1.22.60; 400m Freestyle Heats 6.07.25; 400m Freestyle Final 6.05.84 8th

Will Perry: 100m Breaststroke Heats 1.26.32 British Record; 100m Breaststroke Final 1.25.93 British Record 5th; 20 Point 200m Freestyle Relay 4th