Louise Fiddes was last week named the highest scoring woman in this year’s para-swimming World Series.
The 17 year
old, who is set to make her European senior debut in August earned 4,041 points across the World Para-Swimming World
Series, coming out almost 100 points ahead of her nearest competition, Canadian three-time Paralympic champion Aurelie
Rivard.
And
now the Hatfield-based S14 swimmer is hoping to build on this success as she
heads into the World
Para Swimming Allianz European Championships in Dublin in August.
She
said: “I’m really excited about being in the Europeans squad.
“Even though I got three A qualification times I didn’t think I would make the team, but it is so nice to see my name on that list with some really great swimmers.
“At
Sheffield my 100m breaststroke event was my favourite as I got a PB by two
seconds.”
It
was this form that led Louise to top the table of women’s performances in the
World Series and has given her confidence to go up against more experienced
team mates at the Europeans.
She
added: “I feel so honoured to be part of this team because I used to look at
Bethy and Jessica and think I wanted to be like them, and now I’m racing
against them!
“I
would love to medal in the 100m breaststroke
- ideally a PB and a medal!
“I’m
also excited about being on a team with Ellie Simmonds. She has been so nice to
me and given me some useful advice, like always take an extension cable away
with me!”
And
after Dublin the teenager’s mind is already thinking about the next challenge.
“Tokyo
is definitely in my mind and the Europeans are a great step forwards towards
it,” she concluded.
The
World Para Swimming Allianz European Championships will take place at the
National Aquatic Centre in Dublin from August 13 to 19. More than 550
para-swimmers from 37 countries are set to take part.
It will be the first ever major international para sport event to take place in Ireland.
To buy tickets and find out more about the championships click here