KIDDERMINSTER swim star Claire Cashmore has vowed to take a leaf out of double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington’s book and hog the headlines at the Paralympics in Beijing.
The 20-year-old laid down a sizeable Paralympic marker four years ago at the tender age of 16 when she picked up double bronze in the 200-metre individual medley and 100m backstroke in Athens.
Cashmore has been in red-hot form ever since scooping Paralympic World Cup 100m freestyle silver in May in a new British record time of 1 minute 07.53 seconds.
The Kelly College student watched in awe as Adlington became the first British female to win double Olympic gold in 100 years and Cashmore admitted she will use the 19-year-old’s Chinese exploits as inspiration in the Far East.
“Success is what pushes me and keeps me dedicated — and I almost cried when I saw the look of joy on Rebecca’s face,” she said.
“Knowing that all the hard work you put in over a four-year period is worth it is such a satisfying feeling.
“It really got my adrenaline pumping. I want to get out there myself now and go better than the bronzes I won in Athens.
“My form has been encouraging so far and I just want to do everything I can to achieve my goals.
“Going to events like the Paralympic World Cup are great but they don’t compare to the Paralympics. The buzz is electric.”
Cashmore will be busy in Beijing, combining the 200m individual medley and 100m backstroke with the 100m butterfly and breaststroke.
But, with South African star Natalie du Toit fresh from her Olympic adventure in Beijing where she came 15th in the open water swimming, Cashmore knows she faces a tough ask to overthrow her biggest rival.
“I was thrown in at the deep end with girls like Natalie in Athens but I dealt with the pressure really well,” said Cashmore, who twice finished behind du Toit in Greece.
“It was a shock to the system but I know what to expect in Beijing and I am going to have to raise my game.
“I was so focused in Athens that I couldn’t have told you what I was thinking. All I remember is looking up at the end of each race and noticing where I had come.
“I want to do well again — there is a little bit more pressure but I have lots of people around me to help and I plan on using them.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here