2024-04-22 17:34:03
Competing in the S11 class of blind swimmers, E. Matakas swam the distance in the final of this event in 26.89 seconds. and 0.5 sec. was behind Dutch representative Rogier Dorsman, who became the European champion.
E. Matakas made it to the final after winning the selection held in the morning, where he recorded the best result – 26.71 seconds.
“The medal is there, that’s why it’s fun, but the result is bad, it doesn’t satisfy me, that’s why the mood is so mixed. I’m happy about the medal, but I’m disappointed with the result”, said E. Matakas after the final.
European Championship debutant Simonas Žvirblis swam next to E. Matak in the final of the 50-meter freestyle event. Trained by Birutė Statkevičienė, the man from Kaunas took 28.68 seconds in the morning selection. and, having reached his personal best, entered the finals at number eight. In the final, S. Žvirblis swam the distance in 28.54 seconds, once again improved his personal record and took the 7th position.
“It’s great to have broken my personal record for the second time in a day. I swam as fast as I could. The mood is fun. Debut in the European Championship and seventh place is great fun. We also had support, the Lithuanians in Madeira came. It’s a lot of fun,” S. Žvirblis shared his impressions.
Gabrielė Čepavičiūtė won the fifth place in her main event – 100 meters backstroke. The athlete trained by Rasa Mažutaitienė, competing in the S6 class, swam the distance in 1 minute in the final. 39.52 sec. German European champion Verena Schott swam in 1 minute. 23.68 sec.
“Although it wasn’t my personal or best result of the season, it’s the highest place in my career so far. Three years ago I made my debut here in Madeira and then I was sixth, and this year I’m fifth, which I’m really happy about. It’s not the end yet, I’m waiting for the 200-meter medley, I’m really looking forward to this event,” said G. Čepavičiūtė.
Karolina Voiciukaitė made her debut at the European Championship in Madeira. A swimmer coached by Arnold Januskevicius, competing in the S12 class, covered the distance in 1 minute in the final of the 100-meter backstroke event. 38.14 sec. and took the 8th position in the final standings.
“Finally, the long-awaited European Championship has arrived. Maybe I wanted to perform even better, but I achieved the best result of the season and I’m happy with it. It’s a lot of fun to swim in the European Championship, it doesn’t happen every day”, said K. Voiciukaitė.
April 21-27 In Madeira, Portugal, the European Swimming Championship for people with disabilities is held, where Lithuania is represented by four athletes: Edgaras Matakas (coach Ramūnas Leonas), Gabrielė Čepavičiūtė (coach Rasa Mažutaitienė), Karolina Voiciukaitė (coach Arnoldas Januškevičius) and Simonas Žvirblis (coach Birutė Statkevičienė). We invite you to watch live video broadcasts of the European Championship on the Facebook account of the Lithuanian Paralympic Committee or on the YouTube channel of the International Paralympic Committee.
Tuesday, April 23
8:41 p.m. Gabrielė Čepavičiūtė (SM6 class) – 200 m individual medley (final)
9:37 p.m. Edgaras Mataks (SB11 class) – 100 m breaststroke (final)
Wednesday, April 24
7:49 p.m. Simonas Žvirblis (SM11 class) – 200 m individual medley (final)
Thursday, April 25
12:42 p.m. Edgaras Mataks (S11 class) – 100 m freestyle (qualification)
9:24 p.m. Edgaras Mataks (S11 class) – 100 m freestyle (final)
Friday, April 26
12:00 p.m. Simonas Žvirblis (S11 class) – 100 m backstroke (qualification)
7:52 p.m. Simonas Žvirblis (S11 class) – 100 m backstroke (final)
April 27, Saturday
11:59 a.m. Simonas Žvirblis (S11 class) – 400 m freestyle (qualification)
8:00 p.m. Simonas Žvirblis (S11 class) – 400 m freestyle (final)
2024-04-22 17:34:03