By Tom Degun

Ellie_Simmonds_doing_freestyleMarch 8 - Double Paralympic Champion Ellie Simmonds picked up her second gold medal of the 2011 British Gas Swimming Championships in Manchester as she claimed victory in the women's 100 metre freestyle final on the fourth day of the competition.


The 16-year-old S6 swimmer from Walsall, who won the women's MC 400 metres freestyle on the opening day of the competition, secured the qualification time for the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) European Championships in Berlin after a touching in time of 1:19.01, winning 889 points in the process.

"It's good to keep this 100m Freestyle event going," said Simmonds, who will undoubtedly be favourite for the gold at the Berlin event as the defending 100m Paralympic champion.

"I have a much bigger programme now but this event will always be special as I won the gold in Beijing.

"I have a lot more to focus on now so to keep this one up to standard is pleasing.

"It felt good and controlled and I'm glad to have made the Berlin time."

Rhiannon Henry, S13, won the silver medal in 1:01.85 and a points score of 862 while Louise Watkin, S9, followed up her gold in the women's 50 metre freestyle final yesterday with bronze, coming home in a time of 1:04.35 to score 855 points.

In the men's 100m freestyle, multi-Paralympic gold medallist Dave Roberts of Caerphilly claimed his first gold medal with a strong swim that saw him take 856 points after touching in at 1:03.56.

"I'm pleased with the result but not particularly the time, but some days you just have to win and that was what tonight was about," Roberts said.

"I'm following a plan towards London, I'm where I want to be and tonight confirmed that."

Silver went to Matthew Walker with a score of 829 after touching just behind Roberts in 1:04.23.

Simon Miller won bronze after finishing in 59.60 and a score of 799.

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