New Zealand and USA name 2019 Worlds teams

Some of the most decorated Para swimming stars, such as the USA’s Jessica Long and New Zealand’s Sophie Pascoe, can add to their collection at the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships in September in London, Great Britain.

New Zealand have announced seven swimmers and the USA 17 for London 2019, which takes place 9-15 September.

Pascoe leads Kiwis

Five Paralympians are among the top athletes set to lead New Zealand in London.

The experienced group includes Pascoe, triple Paralympic gold medallist Cameron Leslie, and Rio 2016 debutants Tupou Neiufi, Hamish McLean and Jesse Reynolds. They will be joined by Para swimmers Chris Arbuthnott and Celyn Edwards.

Pascoe recently took the NZ Open Championships by storm, setting four world records and numerous personal bests. It follows after capturing two gold medals from the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Leslie will go into the World Para Swimming Championships with No.1 or No.2 world rankings in three of his favoured events.

More information on New Zealand’s team at London 2019 is available on Paralympics New Zealand’s website.

US also ready for Lima 2019

Long, a 13-time Paralympic champion, was the most decorated female at the 2017 World Championships in Mexico City, winning gold in each of her eight events (SM8 200-meter individual medley, S8 100 butterfly, S8 400 freestyle, S8 100 backstroke, SB7 100 breaststroke, S8 100 freestyle, 4x100 34-point free relay, 4x100 34-point medley relay).

Three-time Paralympic champion McKenzie Coan will look to defend her four world titles in the S7 400 free, S7 100 free, S7 50 free and 4x100 34-point free relay.

On the men’s side, Paralympic bronze medallist Robert Griswold will come to London as the world champion in the S8 100 backstroke.

Team USA’s complete roster can be found on the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s website.

Before the Worlds, 35 athletes will take on the Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru. The team is highlighted by eight Paralympians, including two-time Paralympic silver medallist Tharon Drake, two-time Paralympic bronze medallist Hannah Aspden and two-time Paralympic medallist Lizzi Smith.

The USA’s Lima 2019 line-up is available also online.