Highbridge swimmer Anthony Stephens missed out on a medal but had a good opening day at the Paralympics in London on Thursday.
The 26 year-old, who lives in Burnham Road, Highbridge, qualified for the final of the men’s Freestyle 50m (S5) on Thursday morning in a time of 35.59.
In the final, he finished in sixth place – the same as Beijing four years ago – in a time of 35.74. The race was fast paced with the winner setting a new world record.
Anthony was cheered on by his family and supporters from Highbridge and will be in action again on Saturday.
He will be competing in the 200m freestyle – an event that he does well in. He won a bronze medal at the 2004 Paralympics in the event.
The Highbridge swimmer will also be swimming on September 6th, 7th and 8th in the 100m, 200m free, 50m backstroke, and the 50m fly.
Anthony won a bronze medal at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, one of five he has won overall in the last two Paralympics.
He went to school at Highbridge’s King Alfred School and still has many friends and relatives in the Burnham-On-Sea area.
He was born with no legs and just one fully developed arm, but has never let this get in his way, and has been swimming from the age of three and breaking records since he was 10.
Anthony took part in the Paralympics in Beijing in 2008 where he won a bronze medal in the 200m Freestyle. He was also sixth in the 50m Freestyle and fourth in the 100m Freestyle.
In the 2004 Paralymics in Athens he won a bronze medal in the 50m Freestyle, a bronze in the 100m Freestyle and a silver in the 200m Freestyle.
At this year’s British Championships in London, he won a bronze medal in the 50m Backstroke and hopes are high of more success.
