Fiddes tops world series table

15 Jun 2018

Louise Fiddes has topped the standings in the World Para SwimmingWorld Series for the best performing female swimmer.

The 17-year-old took the title with 4,041 points across the series that incorporated legs in Italy, Sheffield and Berlin.

Canadian three-time Paralympic champion Aurelie Rivard (3,956) finished second and Netherlands’ Rio 2016 bronze medallist Chantalle Zijderveld (3,952) third.

She said: “It is shocking. There are so many athletes that are better than me. I did not expect all this to happen so quickly. I expected to come top 10 but not to win.”

Fiddes also won the junior title ahead of Zijderveld and Italy’s five-time world champion Carlotta Gilli (3,924).

The National Paralympic Committees' title was awarded to Great Britain (15,742) who won the honour for a second year running. Netherlands (15,345) and Brazil (15,343) completed the podium.

British Para-Swimming's National Performance Director, Chris Furber said: “We have seen some exceptional performances from our swimmer so far this year – facing difficult competition and many having to deliver performances around classification reviews.

“For Britain to top the world series rankings for a second year is not only a reflection of the hard work put in by our athletes, but also by the world class coaches and support staff we have in place.

“Louise has put in some great performances this year, taking two seconds off her PB in the 100m breaststroke in Sheffield, and earning three qualification standards for the European championships.

“With Dublin 2018 around the corner I am sure we will see more from Louise and all our other athletes.”

Daniel Dias from Brazil, and their most decorated Paralympian,  successfully defended the men’s individual series title. 

The scores for the overall rankings are calculated by adding up the swimmers' two best point scores achieved in two different World Series events.