Six-time Paralympic champion Bethany Firth rewrote the record books at the Dutch National Championships, clocking a blistering 1:04.02 in the S14 100m backstroke. This performance shattered her own previous best of 1:04.05, which had stood for nearly a decade since her gold-medal victory at the Rio Paralympics.

This targeted meet served as a crucial event for the GB Paralympic swimming team. Firth’s exceptional swim not only secured her funding for the upcoming season, which includes the World Championships, but also positions her well for the LA Paralympics further down the line. The Dutch championships provided a stable platform for preparation amid European Championship uncertainties.

Firth's season concludes at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where she aims to defend her 200m freestyle title. The 100m backstroke, however, is not contested at the Commonwealths. Her new world record solidifies her dominance in the S14 category and sets a formidable benchmark for competitors.