Competing in the S11 class of blind swimmers, E. Matakas swam the distance in the final in 58.95 seconds. and finished third. Dutchman Rogier Dorsman came first – 57.55 seconds, Ukrainian Danylas Chufarov came second – 58.78 seconds.
“The final was very difficult. The beginning of the swim was very impressive, everything looked good, but the finish, as swimmers say, was survival. I did as much as I could. The result is not my best, but it is a step forward compared to last season. Swimming like this in April is already good. I’m more focused on sprinting, on the 50 meters distance, so I think I swam well in the 100 meters. Of course, in the morning I could save more energy for the final. However, I am happy with the swimming and the result”, said E. Matakas.
In the selection held on Thursday morning, the Lithuanian showed the best result – 59.16 seconds.
This is E. Matak’s third medal at this year’s European Championship. The Kaunian won silver in the 50-meter freestyle and 100-meter breaststroke.
During his career, E. Matakas already won 6 medals of the European Championships, 4 times became a prize winner in the world championships, won a bronze award at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Lithuania is represented by four athletes at the European Swimming Championship for People with Disabilities this year: Edgaras Matakas (coach Ramūnas Leonas), Gabrielė Čepavičiūtė (coach Rasa Mažutaitienė), Karolina Voiciukaitė (coach Arnoldas Januskevičius) and Simonas Žvirblis (coach Birutė Statkevičienė).
Friday, April 26
12:00 p.m. Simonas Žvirblis (S11 class) – 100 m backstroke (qualification)
7:52 p.m. Simonas Žvirblis (S11 class) – 100 m backstroke (final)
April 27, Saturday
11:59 a.m. Simonas Žvirblis (S11 class) – 400 m freestyle (qualification)
8:00 p.m. Simonas Žvirblis (S11 class) – 400 m freestyle (final)
