The 2020 Paralympic Games continued in Tokyo with Day 2 of the swimming competition.
Several world records were set in the session, including two by the United States.
Gia Pergolini of the U.S. set a world record to win gold in the 100 backstroke S13 class. She touched the wall in 1:04.64 breaking her own world record set in prelims (1:05.05). Italy’s Carlotta Gilli took the silver (1:06.10) and Australia’s Katja Dedekind took the bronze (1:06.49).
“It’s surreal,” Pergolini said. “I’ve been thinking about this moment for the past five years. This past year, I was thinking about it day and night. There are so many emotions finally seeing all my hard work pay off. Representing my country and getting them a gold medal is just crazy.”
The U.S. wasn’t finished. Anastasia Pagonis of the U.S. broke the 400 freestyle S11 class world record to claim gold in 4:54.49. Liesette Bruinsma of the Netherlands won silver in 5:05.34, followed by China’s Chi Liwen, who took the bronze in 5:07.56.
“If you told me this a few years ago, I wouldn’t even think I’d be alive so just being here and being able to have this experience and this opportunity — unbelievable,” Pagonis said. “I love being able to bond with my teammates and have this experience with all of them. I think supporting and cheering on my teammates is super important.”
Great Britain’s Tully Kearney won her second medal of the games, this time claiming gold. She won the 100…
