In men's 100m butterfly S10, Andre Brasil of Brazil, who advanced to the final with a fastest 59.13 seconds, took the winning time further down to 56.47, bettering the world record in 1.08 seconds. The Brazilian said the saved energy in the heat helped him win the gold.
"I still haven't realized it, I can't believe it. I swam 90 per cent this morning, so I knew I would swim faster now but not that much. I have worked so hard this year for that. It's a dream come true," said the winner.
China's Tang Yuan failed to block the Anders Olsson's strong comeback. The Swede led throughout the whole course and updated the world record set by himself in 2006 to one minute 05.95 seconds. Tang took the silver and his compariot Yang Yuanrun settled for the bronze.
"This morning I didn't feel like I swam so good so I tried a new swim suit. But it was very nice in the night, to do it here in Beijing was really great," said the winner.
Women's 400m freestyle S13 also witnessed a new world record in the evening. Canada's Valerie Maison Grand, who equalled the Paralympic record in the heat, refreshed her former world mark to 4:28.64.
"I just put my earphones in and listened to music to keep my focus before the final swim. I'm doing everything I can to be the best and fastest swimmer, and I'm willing to fight for it," said the Canadian.
The swimmers from Russia (twice), Mexico, Brazil, Ukraine (twice), Cyprus, Australia (twice) and South Africa created the rest 11 new world marks.
The Beijing Paralympic swimming competitions have attracted 560 athletes in 81 men's and 59 women's events. The nine-day contest runs from September 7 to 15.
(Xinhua News Agency September 9, 2008)