Kearney and Summers-Newton power to swimming golds

Tully Kearney (left) and Maisie Summers-Newton (right) are among the most experienced members of the GB Para-swimming squad

Tully Kearney won her second Paris Paralympics title as Maisie Summers-Newton overcame nerves to add to her gold-medal collection.

Brock Whiston also landed her first Paralympic medal on another successful night in the pool for Britain's Para-swimmers.

Kearney, who won S5 200m freestyle gold on Thursday, topped the podium for a second time in retaining her 100m freestyle title.

The 27-year-old was challenged over the first 50m by Iryna Poida but put in a strong turn and pulled clear over the second length to win in one minute 15.10 seconds - 2.27 seconds clear of her Ukrainian rival.

Summers-Newton maintained her dominance in the SM6 200m individual medley, retaining the title she won in Tokyo three years ago, but said she was nervous going into the race.

"I think the nerves are something that has come since Tokyo," she said.

"There is pressure being Paralympic champion and trying to defend your title – there has been a lot.

"I'm just trying to enjoy it and remind myself that I've been at the top since 2018 – that's a long time."

Whiston, on her Paralympic debut, finished second to 16-year-old Spaniard Anastasiya Dmytriv Dmytriv in the SB8 100m breaststroke.

Summers-Newton 'confident' over breaststroke

Northampton swimmer Summers-Newton, who has completed her degree in primary school teaching since Tokyo, finished in 2:56.90 ahead of American Ellie Marks (3:02.50), with China's Liu Daomin (3:03.60) edging out Britain's Grace Harvey for bronze.

Although the 22-year-old Briton was well in the mix early on, she pulled clear of her rivals on the breaststroke leg - the discipline in which she looks to defend her 100m title on Sunday - and maintained her advantage over the freestyle.

"I've obviously been doing things right this year with a new world record but when you come to a Paralympics you want the medal more than anything so that was my main goal tonight," she added.

"The other girls are so fast, you never know, and I think I put so much pressure on myself. I was super nervous but I think the nerves work in some situations.

"But my breaststroke gives me confidence - it is all about how far ahead the other girls will be on the butterfly and backstroke and trying to swim my own race.

"I know on the breaststroke I can catch up and then give it everything on the freestyle."

Kearney's hectic time yields more success

Kearney had a quick turnaround after her final on Thursday night and was also required to undergo drug testing.

"I'm really tired after that," she said. "It was a late night so I just tried to get as much sleep as I could and refuel and recover for this one.

"The last 24 hours have made me realise that I need to stop questioning myself and my abilities.

"Technically I feel I did what I needed to do, hopefully my coach will say the same when I see him but I am delighted with that time."

Whiston 'not the same athlete'

Whiston, 27, was unable to compete at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021 because of issues around her eligibility and category, and told BBC Sport earlier this year that watching the Games had made her a 'stronger athlete'.

But she was always chasing her Spanish rival and although she finished strongly in 1:21.04, Dmytriv Dmytriv clocked 1:19.75 and the Londoner was left bitterly disappointed with her time.

"I've done a lot faster this season and I don't know what happened," said Whiston. "I think I went out too slow and had too much to do in the second 50m.

"But until I look back I don't know what went wrong. It wasn't the best swim but I am happy to get that silver medal.

"I should be proud of myself, but I am quite harsh on myself and I always want to do better.

"I think a lot of people look back on my world record from 2019 (1:13.83) but I'm not that athlete any more. A lot has changed with my impairment since then."