Tokyo Paralympics: Will Martin breaks his own world record in the 100m butterfly S9

Ben SmithThe West Australian
Camera IconWill Martin after breaking the world record. Credit: Channel Seven

Will Martin’s sensational Paralympics has continued as the Australian swimmer broke his own world record in the 100m butterfly S9.

Less than five months after setting the world record, Martin used this morning’s heat to set a new personal best and qualify fastest for tonight’s final.

Clocking a time of 58.14, Martin’s performance sent a statement to his rivals as he eyes up his third gold medal of the game.

Quickest off the blocks by some way, the Queenslander raced through the first 50m with ease and rather than take his foot off the pedal, used the second half of the race to chase the world record and put further distance between him and the rest of the field.

His winning time was 0.14 seconds quicker than the world record he set on the Gold Coast in April.

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Having already set a Paralympic record on his way to gold in the 400m freestyle S9 and helped the Australians set a another world record in their 4x100m freestyle 34 point gold medal swim, the 20 year-old could make it three gold medals at his debut Paralympics.

There was further joy for the Australians as Timothy Hodge qualified for the final alongside Martin, finishing second in the heat, while Brenden Hall finished eighth.

Martin and Hodge will be joined by more Australians in tonight’s finals, with several more eyeing up Paralympic medals in the evening sessions.

Col Pearse locked in a lane in the men’s 100m backstroke S10 final, while Jasmine Greenwood will contest the women’s final in the same event.

Benjamin Hance set a Paralympic record to qualify for the men’s 100m backstroke S14 finals, while Ruby Storm and Madeline McTernan also reached the women’s final in the same discipline.

Rachael Watson has snared a spot in the 50m freestyle S4 final, while the women’s 4x100m medley 34 point relay team will be expected to compete for a medal.

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