Paralympics: Israeli swimmer Mamistvalov takes gold in Montreal

Itazhak Mamistvalov wins Israel’s first medal of the IPC Swimming World Championships on Friday.

By ALLON SINAI
Itazhak Mamistvalov swimmer 370 (photo credit: Raz Livnat)
Itazhak Mamistvalov swimmer 370
(photo credit: Raz Livnat)
MONTREAL – Israel’s Itazhak Mamistvalov let out a huge cry of delight after winning the men’s 100m freestyle S1 (2:23.71) for Israel’s first medal of the IPC Swimming World Championships on Friday.
Australia and Great Britain became the men’s and women’s world relay champions after an absolutely gripping conclusion to day 4 of Montreal 2013.
Great Britain’s Claire Cashmore and Amy Marren managed to claw back into first place (4:27.95) having been behind to Canada for the first 200m. Jessica Long did her best for team USA alongside teammates Cortney Jordan, Elizabeth Smith and Anna Johannes to finish in third.
In the men’s race, Australia put in a stunning performance to win in 3:51.14, ahead of Brazil and Russia. Brazil led for the first 200m, but thanks to fast lengths by Matthew Cowdrey and Matthew Levy managed to touch in first to retain their title from the last championships in Eindhoven in 2010.
Earlier in the evening in the individual events, Canada’s Benoit Huot became the world champion in the men’s 200m individual medley SM10 for the fourth time.
The women’s race was equally as thrilling, with Russia’s Nina Ryabova winning gold in a European record time of2:30.71.
Jonathan Fox won Great Britain’s first gold of the evening in the men’s 100m backstroke S7 (1:09.66), retaining his world title from Eindhoven.
The 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships run from 12-18 August and feature around 500 of the world’s best athletes from nearly 60 countries – the biggest gathering of swimmers since London 2012.