In the finals of the SM6 disability class 200-meter individual medley, Rasa Mažutaitienė’s pupil swam the distance in 3 minutes. 47.60 seconds, which resulted in eighth place in the final standings of the Games.
The title of Paralympic champion was defended by the world record holder, British athlete Maisie Summers-Newton, who swam the distance in 2 minutes. 56.90 sec. The silver went to American Ellie Marks, the bronze went to Chinese representative Daomin Liu.
On Friday morning, G. Čepavičiūtė was also eighth in the qualifying competition, but swam four seconds slower than in the final. It is true that two competitors from Kaunas, from Hungary and China, were disqualified in the qualification.
The 18-year-old swimmer from Kaunas became the first Lithuanian female swimmer to compete in the Paralympic Games.
“For most athletes, it is better to swim in the evening than in the morning. Also, I felt tired in the morning due to lack of sleep because I got up very early. I managed to eat and sleep before the final, which gave me strength for the final. I was also helped by team doctor Kęstutis Linkus and physiotherapist Karolis Maisuradze. They did everything to make me feel as good as possible in the evening and swim as fast as possible.
I felt very grateful to get that opportunity to swim in the finals. At first, I even forgot which track was mine and just turned to see the Lithuanian flag. After that I had to turn around. I felt very happy and very grateful to be able to swim in that arena. I stood and thought, just let me swim. The atmosphere and support was unreal. There was no such support in any other competition,” said G. Čepavičiūtė.
Having received a personal invitation to the Paralympic Games, G. Čepavičiūtė has another start waiting for her next week in Paris, she will compete in the S6 disability class 100-meter backstroke event.
2024-08-30 23:15:30