Mexico City 2017: Carlos Serrano seeks fifth gold on final day
Legends Long and Boki also going for clean sweep at Championships 07 Dec 2017Colombia’s Paralympic gold medallist Carlos Serrano is optimistic about winning his fifth gold on the final day (7 December) of competition at the World Para Swimming Championships in Mexico City.
The 19-year-old has so far claimed the world title in the men’s 50m and 100m freestyle S7, 100m breaststroke SB7 and 50m butterfly S7, as well as a bronze in the 400m freestyle S7. He will now try to add another gold to his tally in the 200m individual medley SM7.
Serrano is enjoying his best Worlds to date, having won just one title at his maiden Championships in 2015.
Two legends to go for clean sweep
USA’s Jessica Long is hoping to claim her sixth individual gold in the women’s 200m individual medley SM8 and finish competing at Mexico City 2017 with a clean sweep. She may even try to lower her own world record of 2:37.11.
Belarus’ most decorated Paralympian Ihar Boki is close to reaching his mark of seven golds at a single edition of the World Championships. The 23-year-old only needs to achieve victory in the men’s 100m freestyle S13, his last event.
China set for first place in medals standings
With 25 golds, 13 silvers and eight bronze, Chinese swimmers easily lead the medals table at the World Championships. They will try now to round-off a superb performance in style with further titles on the last day of competition.
Three-time Mexico City 2017 gold medallist Song Lingling seeks to win another title in the women’s 200m individual medley SM6. Xu Haijiao will challenge for his fifth gold at the Worlds in the men’s 200m individual medley SM8.
Five-time Paralympic champion Wenpan Huang is hoping to close his participation with a fourth gold in the men’s 150m individual medley SM3. At the same time, Jiao Cheng will be another gold medal-contender in the women’s 150m individual medley SM3-4.
Spanish showdown
Fresh from her dramatic win in the women’s 100m butterfly S9, Spain’s Sarai Gascon will try for a third world gold in the women’s 50m freestyle S9 in what is expected to be another epic battle against compatriot Nuria Marques Soto.
Final race
Mexico City 2017 will conclude with the mixed 4x50m freestyle relay 20pts, which will feature teams from Brazil, China, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Mexico and the USA.
More information on the World Para Swimming Championships, including live coverage, results and athlete profiles can be found on Mexico City 2017’s website.