Commonwealth Games, Day Three Para Events: Alice Tai Three-Peats in 100 Backstroke (S9); Tim Hodge Prevails
For the third consecutive time, England’s Alice Tai is the Commonwealth Games champion in the S9 classification of the 100-meter backstroke, her latest title earned on Sunday night at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre in Glasgow. The event’s gold medalist in 2018 and 2022, Tai was only fifth-fastest during the morning prelims, but saved her best for when it mattered.
A seven-time medalist at the Paralympic Games, Tai clocked a winning time of 1:11.93 to complete her three-peat. She was more than two seconds faster than runnerup Gemma Sellick of Australia, who touched the wall in 1:14.06. In the bronze-medal position was Aussie Victoria Belando Nicholson, who registered a swim of 1:15.11.
Tai opened up an immediate lead in the final, going out in 35.16 to build a half-second margin over Sellick. Over the last length, she pulled away while cementing her title trifecta.
Men’s 100 Backstroke (S9)
Australia’s Tim Hodge, a six-time Paralympic medalist, repeated as the champion of the 100 backstroke (S9) behind a swim of 1:03.00, which handed him a sizable margin over Northern Ireland’s Barry McClements. The silver medal went to McClements in 1:03.68, with the bronze medal going to Australian Harrison Vig (1:04.87).
Hodge made the most of his opening 50 meters, which he covered in 30.20. That early advantage enabled him to move clear of McClements, who was .05 quicker on the homecoming lap.