European ParaSwimming Championship: medals and more
The Spanish delegation added a total of 48 metals in its participation in the European Paralympic Swimming Championship, ranking fourth in the final medal table. The CAR group led by Jaume Marcé also made a magnificent performance, with a new World record for Toni Ponce, while Sarai Gascón achieved the minimum A that ensures her presence in the Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
The athlete with the highest number of golds was Sarai Gascón, who climbed to the first step of the podium in 100 freestyle, 100 breaststroke and in the women’s relay of 4×100 styles. Also, she was second in 50 freestyle and 100 butterfly, and third in 200 styles and 4×100 style. And in addition, in the 100 freestyle the athlete achieved the minimum mark A that ensures her presence in the Paralympic Games.
Nuria Marqués was the swimmer of the Spanish delegation to get the most medals, a total of eight. There were two gold medals in 100 backstroke and in the women’s 4×100 relay; three silvers in 100 breaststroke, 400 freestyle and 200 styles, and three bronze medals in the 50 and 100 freestyle, and in 4×100 styles. She was also 4th in the 100m butterfly.
Toni Ponce, for his part, returns home with seven medals. The Catalan was proclaimed continental champion in 100 breaststroke, with a new World record (1’25 “46). In addition, he added to his collection three silvers (in 100 and 200 freestyle, and in 200 styles), and three bronzes (in 50 freestyle, 50 backstroke and 4×50 styles mixed relay) He was also 6th in the mixed 4×50 freestyle relay.
Jacobo Garrido was 2nd in the 400 freestyle and 6th in the 200 m styles. The youngest of the group, Marian Polo, won the silver medal in the 4×100 freestyle mixed relay and was 5th in the 100m freestyle. José Antonio Marí was third in 4×100 styles and 5th in the 100m butterfly; and Óscar Salguero obtained a silver in the 100 m breaststroke and was 5th in the 200 styles, with a Spanish record.
At the end of the tournament already have the minimum A for the Paralympic Games this summer Toni Ponce and Sarai Gascón, while they have a minimum B (which will probably also mean their presence in Tokyo) Óscar Salguero (S8), Nuria Marqués (S9) , Jacobo Garrido (S9), José Antonio Marí (S9) and David Levecq (S10). The deadline to get the Paralympic ticket ends on June 20.
