Watson Goes The Distance For Bronze 

Rachael Watson opened the medal account on night six of the Games, claiming a bronze medal in the women’s S3 100m freestyle in 1:38.92 – her first Paralympic medal at this distance. 

Watson, who has recently been reclassified from an S4 to an S3 due to her Guillain Barre Syndrome, added the event to her program which also includes the women’s S3 50m freestyle on day nine of the Games. 

The triple Paralympian was happy to add this to her program and discussed the changes in her training routine to adapt, after setting an Oceania Record for the event earlier in the heat earlier that day. 

“It’s incredible being able to race a 100m and it’s a new event for me on the Paralympic program so it’s been a big challenge trying to train for it, but just being able to get to the Paralympic final and win a medal for my country is something I’m really proud of,” Watson said as she exited the pool. 

“I’m really proud of bronze, this is a new event and just stepping up from the 50m and doing two laps instead of one is a big challenge when you’re a lower classified athlete, there’s just a lot more that goes into it. You really feel it in your arms, and you don’t have the kick to help you along the way so being able to still get on the podium and not get fourth is pretty cool.” 

Teammates and friends Alex Saffy and Col Pearse then went head-to-head in the men’s S10 100m butterfly. In a tight race it was Saffy, the 18-year-old making his Paralympics debut, who claimed the bronze in front of his compatriot Pearse, clocking 56.61. This time also set a new Oceania Record. Pearse finished narrowly behind in fourth hitting the wall in 57.24. 

An emotional Saffy, who had his family cheering him on in the crowd, was emotional after his race, saying the sacrifice was worth the reward. 

“Yeah, it’s a crazy feeling. Three years of training has led to that point, so it was very emotional – it’s a lot to take in and I’m just glad it’s over.” 

In other results from night six, Tim Hodge finished fourth in the men’s S9 100m backstroke.