Tokyo Paralympics: Maisie Summers-Newton and Jaco van Goss set to inspire GB’s next generation of medal hopefuls

By Ed Elliot, PA
Published 26th Aug 2021, 17:14 BST
TOP OF THE WORLD: Jaco van Gass celebrates winning the Men's C3 3000 metres Individual Pursuit at Izu Velodrome. Picture: Tim Goode/PATOP OF THE WORLD: Jaco van Gass celebrates winning the Men's C3 3000 metres Individual Pursuit at Izu Velodrome. Picture: Tim Goode/PA
TOP OF THE WORLD: Jaco van Gass celebrates winning the Men's C3 3000 metres Individual Pursuit at Izu Velodrome. Picture: Tim Goode/PA
Maisie Summers-Newton snatched the 200m individual medley title from her hero Ellie Simmonds as Great Britain registered two swimming golds in world record times on day two of the Paralympics.

Tully Kearney also topped the podium at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, storming to victory in the S5 100m freestyle to make up for the disappointment of being denied gold in heart-breaking fashion the previous day.

Summers-Newton grew up idolising five-time Paralympic champion Simmonds, initially inspired by her exploits at London 2012.

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The pair qualified first and third in the SM6 event, with compatriot Grace Harvey sandwiched in between, while Ukraine’s Yelyzaveta Mereshko laid down a marker in the other heat with a world record time of 2:56.90.

INSPIRING: Maisie Summers-Newton celebrates after winning the Women's 200m Individual Medley SM6 Picture: Bob Martin/APINSPIRING: Maisie Summers-Newton celebrates after winning the Women's 200m Individual Medley SM6 Picture: Bob Martin/AP
INSPIRING: Maisie Summers-Newton celebrates after winning the Women's 200m Individual Medley SM6 Picture: Bob Martin/AP

Summers-Newton was clearly inspired by that feat and successfully lowered it to 2:56.68 just hours later.

Silver medallist Mereshko lagged 1.36 seconds behind, while GB flagbearer Simmonds – winner of this event in both London and Rio 2016 – had to settle for fifth, 7.69sec off the pace, with Harvey sixth.

Simmonds said of Summers-Newton: “She’s inspiring that next generation now.

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“She’s following in my footsteps four years previously, now she’s the one.

GB's Aileen McGlynn and pilot Helen Scott pose with their silver medals for the Women's B 1000m Time Trial at the Izu Velodrome. Picture: Tim Goode/PAGB's Aileen McGlynn and pilot Helen Scott pose with their silver medals for the Women's B 1000m Time Trial at the Izu Velodrome. Picture: Tim Goode/PA
GB's Aileen McGlynn and pilot Helen Scott pose with their silver medals for the Women's B 1000m Time Trial at the Izu Velodrome. Picture: Tim Goode/PA

“She’s the nicest girl in the world. I’m so happy for her. She got, I think, inspired by me and I’m sure so many people watching tonight are going to get inspired by her. She’s carrying on that and it’s amazing.

“We saw Mareshko do it this morning, I was like ‘You can do this.’ And she did.”

Summers-Newton, who – like Simmonds – has achondroplasia, said: “It’s really, really cool. Ellie is such an amazing swimmer.

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