Ollie Hynd, 19, (ENG) yet again proved why he is one of the most exciting young swimmers on the parasport scene by grabbing the Gold medal with 2.22.86 in this gripping Commonwealth final tonight. Ollie even looked the part of superstar, turning up in a hooded black cape. Need to get myself one of those.

Earlier in the day he had a fantastic run in the Heats, with a time just over 5 seconds faster than his nearest rival.

He stretched that lead to almost 10 seconds in the final, holding off Jesse Aungles (AUS) who finished on 2.31.25 for Silver and Blake Cochrane who finished on 2.32.72 for Bronze.

Well done to all the competitors.

Oliver HYND (ENG) – gold

On taking gold:
“I’ve completed the set (he won a Paralympic Games gold and a world championships gold). It feels really good. I was able to swim fast too.”

On his future targets:
“I’m only 19 so hopefully there is a lot more to come.”

On Paralympic swimming as part of the Commonwealth Games:
“It has been nice. We showcased what we can do and I think we’ve done really well and people have stood up and taken notice.”

Read our recent Ollie Hynd Interview Here

Blake COCHRANE (AUS) – bronze

On taking bronze:
I am happy with the bronze, but the time was two seconds slower than my personal best earlier this year and I’m a little disappointed about that.”

On what he plans to do next:
“I’m not gonna go home and sulk. As an athlete you have to work on the things that need improving.”

About the Athletes…

LANE 2
Amila Kumarasiri (Sri Lanka)

amila

Classification
S8, SB8, SM8 

Start of sporting career
He began the sport in 2010 in the Sri Lankan army. 

Hero
Sri Lankan swimmer Julian Bolling. 

Most influential person in career
His coach SMW Bandara. 

Sporting philosophy / motto
“Give achievement to my motherland.” 


LANE 3
Blake Cochrane (Aus)

blake_cochran

Classification
S8, SB7, SM8 

Type of Impairment
Limb deficiency 

Impairment Details
He was born without fingers and toes.

Start of sporting career
He took up swimming at age two but did not start competing until age 16. 

Reason for taking up this sport
His parents got him into the sport to help with his asthma. 

Ambitions
To compete at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. 

Training
He trains six days per week, early mornings before university and then again in the evenings. 

Hero
Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist. Australian swimmer Grant Hackett.

Most influential person in career
His parents. (sportrec.qld.gov.au, 16 Mar 2010) 

Sporting philosophy / motto
“What you believe in defines your reality.”  


LANE 4
Oliver Hynd (ENG)

oliver_hynd

Classification
S8, SB8, SM8 

Type of Impairment
Impaired muscle power 

Impairment Details
He has neuromuscular myopathy, a degenerative condition that weakens the muscles in his legs. 

Start of sporting career
He began competing at age nine at the Nottinghamshire County Championships in England.

Reason for taking up this sport
He found he enjoyed the sport and was good at it too. 

Ambitions
To win a medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

Most memorable sporting achievement
Winning gold and sharing a podium with his brother Sam at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.  

Hero
US swimmer Michael Phelps. 

Most influential person in career
Coach Glenn Smith, brother Sam. 

Superstitions / Rituals
He gets onto his starting block from the left side, and always listens to the same song before he competes. 

Sporting philosophy / motto
“Always do your best. Control the controllables.” 


LANE 5
Jesse Aungles (AUS)

aungles

Classification
S8, SB7, SM8 

Type of Impairment
Limb deficiency 

Impairment Details
His right leg was malformed, which meant one femur was 10% shorter than the other and finished at the knee. His left leg was missing the fibula bone, the ankle, and he had only one toe on the foot. He had his left foot amputated and his hip reconstructed at age one. 

Start of sporting career
He began at the Come and Try races organised by Swimming South Australia and competed in his first competitive race at age nine. 

Reason for taking up this sport
“I loved the water as a baby and began swimming when I was three years old. It is a great sport that uses a lot of the muscles in my body. I can do it without being encumbered with prosthetic legs or a wheelchair.” 

Ambitions
To compete at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. 


LANE 6
Sharath Gayakwad (IND)

gayakwad