Cole breaks du Toit’s 50m freestyle world record

Australian world champion brings down the decade-old S9 mark at the national Championships and secures a nomination for a spot on the team for Rio 2016. 08 Apr 2016
Imagen
A swimmer celebrates a race win and world record

Australian Ellie Cole brought down the women's 100m backstroke S9 world record twice on day one of Glasgow 2015.

ⒸLuc Percival
By Swimming Australia

Australia’s swimmers delivered a perfect score on night one of the 2016 Hancock Prospecting Australian Swimming Championships in Adelaide on 7 April, with Ellie Cole smashing the 50m freestyle S9 world record.

In the multi-class events, the 24-year-old won in 28.75 to break South African multiple Paralympic champion Natalie du Toit’s decade old mark of 29.04. The world record was also equalled by Spain's Sarai Gascon in 2014.

The world champion in the event, Cole did not expect such a huge result and was elated to break the record and gain nomination for a spot on the team for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

“For the 50m freestyle – leg amputees aren’t very good at it,” Cole said.

“Natalie du Toit held the record before and to follow in her footsteps has been a dream of mine since I was a really little girl. I am absolutely speechless with that time.

“I’ve been on the Australian swim team for 10 years now and performances like that just really remind you of what it is all about. No matter how long you swim for or are an elite athlete for there are still surprises like that so I am really happy with that swim.”

*All world records are subject to ratification by IPC Swimming