Rob Welbourn - European Championships 2009 update

European Championship Bronze for Rob in Reykjavik

Lincoln Vulcan's Paralympian Rob Welbourn opened his medal account in the IPC European Disability Championships in Reykjavik yesterday (Monday) with a bronze medal in the final of the 200m Individual Medley. Rob who was seeded 4th after the morning heats knew he was one of three in with a chance of the bronze medal in the final, but he also knew it was going to go down to the wire.

After the backstroke Rob was in 5th place and appeared out of it, but a great breaststroke leg brought him back up to 3rd place and in a hard fought final 50 metres he just managed to hold off a fast closing Mike van der Zanden of the Netherlands who finished just over 3x tenths slower than Rob's time of 2.19.36.

The race was won by Lucas Ludwig of Germany (2.15.95) who also snatched the European Record from second-placed swimmer Sven Decaesstecker of Belgium (2.17.73).

Rob is likely to be rested from the heats of the 4x100 medley relay on Tuesday, but is expected to feature in the final in the evening.