A FIFTEEN-year-old student from Kelly College is celebrating after succeeding in becoming the youngest-ever qualifier for the British Paralympic team competing at Athens this summer.
David Hill, coached by Robin Brew, former Olympic swimmer and director of swimming at Kelly, was in top form at last weekend?s British Paralympic Trials at Sheffield.
His phenomenal improvement in the 100m backstroke meant he bettered the Paralympic qualifying time by 0.9 seconds.
Robin Brew said: ?David is missing his left arm just below the elbow and we have had to develop special starting and turning techniques.
?David has proved to be one of the fastest starters in the world and currently holds the world record for the 50m backstroke.
?David is currently ranked fifth in the world for 100m backstroke and is within striking range of the medals.?
David has now returned to his gruelling training schedule, determined to make it to the paralympic finals.
Yelverton?s Jan Langton had a mixed weekend at the trials, and suffered the trauma of two re-classifications during the weekend. Despite this, she secured four personal best times in her six events.