Jessica-Jane Applegate set two world records at the Championships ©Getty Images

Paralympic champion Jessica-Jane Applegate starred at the British National Para-Swimming Championships in Manchester as the S14 swimmer broke two world records.

More than 300 competitors took part in the Championships and several Rio 2016 Paralympic hopefuls were looking to hone their preparations for the British trials, which are set to take place in Glasgow in April.

Applegate, who won gold in the women's 200 metres freestyle at London 2012, was able to lower the world record to 59.04sec in the 100m freestyle before setting a new mark of 1min 7.28sec to win the 100m butterfly competition.

“I’m really happy with my swims, which have gone really well,” said Applegate, who became an International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability (Inas) ambassador last month.

“I’m in really heavy training at the moment.

“I’ve broken records too and I need to thank my coach Alex who has just been amazing, it’s been good to end the season on a high.”

Despite her stunning form, Applegate was forced to settle for second place in the 200m freestyle event as fellow S14 swimmer Bethany Firth was able to touch home a second clear to win in a world record time of 2:05.88.

Eleanor Simmonds lowered her world record in the SM6 individual medley
Eleanor Simmonds lowered her world record in the SM6 individual medley ©Getty Images

Four-time Paralympic champion Eleanor Simmonds was also in fine form as she claimed the fourth world record of the meet.

The 21-year-old had produced a time of 3:01.02 to win SM6 200m individual medley gold at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Championships in July, but was able to lower the mark further by clocking 3.00.01.

Visually impaired swimmer Rebecca Redfern was able to set a SB13 European record in the 100m breaststroke, subject to ratification, as the 15-year-old touched home in 1:18.99.

Another young hopeful, Thomas Hamer, also recorded a European record time of 55.09 in the men’s S14 100m freestyle, while Suzanne Warren broke national records in the S4 50m freestyle, butterfly and backstroke events, as well as the 200m freestyle.



Related stories
November 2015: British Paralympic champion visits school to inspire youngsters to take up sport
November 2015: British Paralympic and world champion appointed Inas ambassador
October 2015: Millward makes move to Manchester ahead of Rio 2016 Paralympic Games
September 2015: Marren and Walker headline omissions from British Para-swimming funding programmes
August 2015: Tollcross International Swimming Centre to host 2016 British Para-Swimming International Meet