“As much as I wanted the gold, I’m really proud of myself” : Iona Winnifrith makes history at 13 years old by winning silver at the Paralympics
Even after the end of the Paris Olympics, records and surprises have still not stopped just yet. The 2024 Paralympics have continued the trend which has broken major viewership records along the way as well.
Great Britain’s Iona Winnifrith has just made history at the Paralympics by winning the silver medal in the 100m breaststroke SB7 this Thursday. The 13-year-old became the youngest British Paralympic swimming medallist this century. The teen was already a double European champion before coming to the Paralympics.
The Tonbridge native’s role model which led her to participate in the Paralympics is Ellie Simonds, who herself made history in the 2008 Paralympics held in Beijing, by winning two gold medals in the 100m and 400m freestyle S6 at the same age. And like a true champion mindset, the 13-year-old was not satisfied with her silver medal, as she lost to the new world record set by NPA’s Mariia Pavlova.
“I met her a few times… she’s very good talking to us,” said Winnifrith on meeting Ellie Simonds.
“Today it just wasn’t enough” : Winnifrith has the gold medal in sight
After barely missing the podium in the 200m individual medley S7, the 13-year-old redeemed herself by winning silver in her second event. Winnifrith revealed in the post interview that she was proud of her performance even after not getting the gold, how she got here and what all difficulties she had to go through.
“I am really happy about the performance, it’s pretty cool. As much as I wanted that gold, I knew I had to fight for it and that’s what I did. I tried to catch the other girl as much as possible, try and fight her. Today it just wasn’t enough. I knew what I needed. I spoke with my coach (who said), ‘Just try and keep up with the girls all the way through, try and power it through the last lengths.’ And that’s what I did, so really happy with that performance.” said the teenager (via Olympics.com).
Although the Briton was aiming for the gold, she broke immense records on the way at her timid age, and was able to make her nation proud regardless of the colour of the medal.
Also Read: “I know I can jump higher” : Mondo Duplantis on setting greater world records
