Matthew McDaid returned from the BT Short Course Championships, held in the Ponds Forge Pool, Sheffield, with seven medals from the 10 events he took part in.

The 15-year-old from Chislehurst, a pupil at Coopers School, won three silvers in the 50 metres freestyle, as well as both 100m backstroke and butterfly finals at the championships open to disabled swimmers of all ages.

Matthew's four bronze medals came in the 50m backstroke and butterfly, as well as the 100m and 200m individual medleys.

He was also fourth in the three other events 50 and 100m breaststroke and freestyle he contested.

A deserved gold medal may have eluded this brave youngster, who trains with the Orpington Ojays and Sharks clubs, but he still managed to amazingly set eight personal bests!

Despite his hectic schedule at the two-day gala, Matthew also swam in two relays for the South East region and his achievements helped the team to finish a creditable third overall in Great Britain.

November 14, 2001 11:21