Pagonis breaks swimming world record twice in Tokyo

On Aug 26, 2021

Anastasia Pagonis went into the history books not once but twice when she broke her own world record in the Women’s 400m S11 to win United States’ first Gold Medal on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games yesterday.

The delighted 17-year-old finished in a time of 4:54.49s and nearly half a length ahead of two-time Paralympic champion and three-time world champion Liesette Bruinsma from the Netherlands, who finished in 5:05.34s.

China’s CAI Liwen took home the Bronze.

Earlier in the heats, Pagonis had broken the world and Paralympic records in 4:58.40s, which was a staggering 26.6 seconds ahead of the runner-up at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

After the final, she whooped with joy, and later said: “I knew that I always swim better at night, and I just needed to have my ‘warm-up’ in the morning and get used to the pool and get the nerves out, because I was super-nervous this morning. Now I feel super-confident going into all my other races.”

USA also won its second gold when Gia Pergolini secured victory in the Women’s 100m backstroke S13. (Agencies)