Patterson finishes with five wins in Indianapolis

Australia’s Lakeisha Patterson won another two races to finish with five victories overall at the penultimate World Para Swimming World Series in Indianapolis, USA.

The two-time Rio 2016 gold medallist first clocked 1:06.19 to win the women’s 100m freestyle S8 ahead of USA’s Julia Gaffney (1:15.39) and Ahalya Lettenberger (1:15.94). She was also the fastest in the 100m butterfly S8 with a time of 1:18.61. Canada’s Danielle Dorris (1:22.07) and Colombia’s Laura Rodriguez (1:27.80) ended second and third, respectively.

She also achieved victory in the 400m freestyle S8 on 9 June, and in both the 200m individual medley SM8 and the 100m backstroke S8 on the following day.

Other Australian swimmers who shone were Blake Cochrane, who finished with four wins overall, and Ellie Cole, who left Indianapolis with two victories.

It was also another dominant day for the hosts, as US swimmers sealed 19 more wins on the final day. Zachary Shattuck capped off an impressive performance with victories in the men’s 50m butterfly S6 and the 100m freestyle S6.

“This weekend was fun to see everyone and reconnect with people,” he said. “It was good to get back in the pool after taking a little break. As I pick up my training, I have a lot of possibilities the next month and a half.”

Rio 2016 two-time gold medallist Michelle Konkoly won the women’s 100m freestyle S9, adding to her triumph in the 50m freestyle S9 last Saturday.

“This swim was awesome. It was so cool to swim one of my last races of the year against one of my biggest competitors,” she said.

“The young kids here are so excited and passionate about Paralympics. They’re dropping so much time, and it really makes me excited to see this next generation get ready to fill the gap of some of the people transitioning out of the sport.”

Complete results are available on US Paralympics’ website.

The final World Series will take place in Berlin, Germany, from 6-9 July, the last major competition before the World Para Swimming Championships, the biggest swimming event outside of the Paralympic Games, held 30 September – 6 October.