Ireland had another successful night at the 2026 World Para Swimming European Championships as Róisín Ní Riain successfully defended her European 100m Backstroke (S13) title.
Ní Riain claimed gold with a dominant performance in the 100m Backstroke (S13) final. She entered tonight's race in pole position, having advanced from this morning’s heats as the fastest qualifier.
From the start, Ní Riain took control and led throughout, storming to European gold in a time of 1:06.21, finishing 2.80 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor, Italy’s Carlotta Gilli.
Speaking directly after tonight’s final, Ní Riain said: "It feels pretty good. I’ve been looking forward to this swim all week. It’s my main event and my best shot. To be able to come out and do that, I’m not going to lie, I didn’t think I’d go that fast tonight."
The Limerick native, who will compete in the 200m IM and 50m Freestyle, added: "The aim tomorrow is to put down a good 200m IM swim and then give it everything I have for the 50 Free. I’m definitely not a 50m freestyler, so we’ll have to go for that one and see how it goes. Hopefully I can get back in there as well.
Following last night’s European silver medal in the 200m Individual Medley (SM6), Dearbhaile Brady returned to the pool to contest the 50m Butterfly (S6) final.
The Irish swimmer led from the start and remained in front at the halfway mark before Italy’s Giulia Terzi mounted a late challenge.
The pair went stroke for stroke down the closing metres, with Brady stopping the clock at 35.87 to claim silver and Ireland’s fourth medal of the championships, just 0.33 seconds shy of gold.
The National Centre Dublin swimmer said: "I think I had a little bit more in me. I did have a bit more in me. I think the second half of the race could have gone a bit better. Róisín and I were chatting earlier today and both wondered if we could do it again, if we could both make the podium again, and we did. Róisín and I get along quite well and motivate each other."
Lisburn swimmer Síomha Nic Brádaigh returned to the finals stage for the second time this week, this time to compete in the 100m Backstroke (S7) final. Nic Brádaigh stopped the clock in 1:34.00 to finish sixth.
Making his debut appearance for Ireland, Dylan Prenderville returned to the blocks to race in the 50m Butterfly (S6) final. Following a strong morning swim, where he set a new lifetime best, the Clare man clocked 41.49 to finish eighth.
A total of six Irish Para swimmers will take to the water for the penultimate day of the championships.
