Mexico City 2017: Teresa Perales ready for revenge
Spanish legend renews rivalry with Norway’s Rung in one of 24 finals on day three 04 Dec 2017Swimming legend Teresa Perales will have a chance for revenge against Sarah Louise Rung in the women’s 50m backstroke S5 on Monday (4 December) as the World Para Swimming Championships continue in Mexico City. The Spaniard finished second to the Norwegian last Saturday in the women’s 100m freestyle S5 but is hoping this time things can go her way and claim her third world title after topping the podium twice at Glasgow 2015.
Champions return
Another top swimmer competing on day three is Belarus’ most decorated Paralympian Ihar Boki, who will swim the men’s 100m butterfly S13. Still fresh from winning two golds in the men’s 100m backstroke and 400m freestyle S13, the 23-year-old aims to add an 18th world title to his crammed trophy cabinet.
Another multiple Paralympic champion competing is Brazil’s Daniel Dias, who will line-up for the men’s 50m backstroke S5 after winning gold in the men’s 100m freestyle S1-5 on day one.
Two US swimmers are included in the list of main stars taking centre stage as McKenzie Coan swims the women’s 50m freestyle S7 and Rebecca Meyers competes in the women’s 100m butterfly S12-13.
Colombia’s Carlos Serrano will start as strong favourite in the men’s 50m freestyle S7 after claiming gold in the men’s 100m freestyle S7 and bronze in the 400m freestyle S7.
Races to look out for
Two-time Mexico City 2017 gold medallist Haijiao Xu is hoping to help China remain top of the medals table by winning another title in the men’s 50m freestyle S8.
Nuria Marques Soto got the perfect start in Mexico City, winning her first world title in the women’s 100m backstroke S9. Now she aims to add two more. In the women’s 200m individual medley SM9, she will face tough opposition from Argentina’s multiple Parapan American champion Daniela Gimenez. Soto will then swim the women’s 100m freestyle S9 against compatriot and three-time world champion Sarai Gascon.
The men's 100m freestyle S6 promises to be exciting with Cuba’s first Paralympic champion Lorenzo Perez Escalona aiming to win his maiden world title and Colombia’s Nelson Crispin hoping to follow up his gold in the men’s 100m breaststroke SB6 with another title.
Rising star
Hungary’s Bianka Pap is enjoying a breakthrough competition. After winning gold in the women’s 100m backstroke S10 and bronze in the women’s 100m freestyle S10, she seeks to win her third medal in the women’s 200m individual medley SM10 at Mexico City 2017.
More information on the World Para Swimming Championships, including live coverage, results and athlete profiles can be found on Mexico City 2017’s website.