tully kearney collecting her gold medal at the paralympics

(L-R) Sliver Medalist Ukraine’s Iryna Poida, Gold Medalist Great Britain’s Tully Kearney and Italy’s Monica Boggioni on the podium after the Women’s 100m Freestyle S5 Final. Image provided by PA / Alamy.

Kearney wins second swimming gold as Holl claims bronze in the velodrome

Tully Kearney won another gold medal at the Paris Paralympics after convincingly winning the Women’s 100m Freestyle S5 final.

The Loughborough University-based swimmer matched last night’s gold medal performance with an equally brilliant swim to retain her title from Tokyo 2020.

Kearney, who holds the world record in the event, pulled away at the turn to romp home in 1:15.10. Iryna Poida of Ukraine finished second with Monica Bogginoi of Italy third.

Speaking to Channel 4, Kearney said: “[It’s] pretty incredible. I was a bit concerned about this one. To retain my title means everything to me. It was such a late night [yesterday] and early start and not long in between to rest. It was really hard for all of us who swam last night to keep the energy up.

“This crowd is incredible. Because I am the first event tonight, there’s way more people here than there were yesterday. They gave me that big push.

“I’m just so grateful for the team for helping me get here and for everyone that’s helped us get here.”

Over at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome, Loughborough Lightning Cycling rider Jenny Holl won bronze as she piloted visually impaired teammate Sophie Unwin in the Women's B 1000m time trial.

The duo stormed around the track in 1:07.879 to secure a well-deserved podium place in front a large and noisy British contingent in the crowd.

For all the latest Loughborough news around major global sporting events, visit the University’s dedicated website here: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/athletes-global-stage/

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Notes for editors

Press release reference number: 24/145

Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines. 

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