13-year-old Eleanor Simmonds wins swimming gold for GB

GREAT Britain's youngest Paralympian Eleanor Simmonds won a shock gold medal at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing today.

The 13-year-old timed her finish to perfection to clinch gold in the women's S6 100 metres freestyle in one minute 18.75 seconds.

Speaking after the medal ceremony, a tearful Simmonds said she was 'stunned' by her victory.

"I can't believe it," she said. "I told my mum not to cry before."

Holland's Mirjam de Koning-Peper was second and world record holder Doramitzi Gonzalez of Mexico was third while Britain's Natalie Jones was fifth.

"In the last 25 (metres) I knew everybody was around me, so I just got my head into it, got my last bit of energy and just went for it."

Simmonds, who was born in Walsall but competes for Swansea, forecast a medal last night – but she predicted the wrong colour.

"I had a dream about it, but I only came second."

This was Britain's second triumph in the Water Cube after Sascha Kindred won the men's SM6 200m individual medley on day one.

ROBERTS CLOSING IN ON PARALYMPIC MEDAL RECORD

David Roberts rode the wave created by a stunning shock victory by Eleanor Simmonds to claim Great Britain's third Paralympic Games swimming gold medal in Beijing today.

Simmonds, the youngest British Paralympian at aged 13, timed her finish to perfection to win the women's S6 100 metres freestyle – Britain's second title in the National Aquatics Center after Sascha Kindred's triumph on day one.

Roberts then took the first step towards overtaking Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson as Britain's most successful Paralympian ever with victory in the men's S7 100m freestyle.

The 28-year-old from Pontypridd, who has cerebral palsy, recorded a Paralympic record of one minute 00.35 seconds to triumph.