Simmonds claims European 400m freestyle title

DOUBLE Paralympic champion Eleanor Simmonds was all smiles after winning her first European title in Reykjavik.

DOMINANT: Eleanor Simmonds claimed gold on the first day of the IPC European Championships in Iceland (SWPix.com)

Simmonds, 14, took gold in 400m freestyle in Iceland, touching home in 5.37.31 while British team-mate Natalie Jones claimed silver in a 5.54.77 personal best.

"I am really happy to have the title and the gold medal," said Simmonds.

"But I did want to go faster in my final because I felt really good in my heat this morning.

"I did know I was in the lead but I race better when I have someone pushing me along but it was good to win the race by that much."

Great Britain's Jonathan Fox just edged out Croatia's Mihovil Spanja to win the men's 400m freestyle in 4.56.54 - and admitted the victory left him stunned.

"That was a tough race and winning the gold medal has left me a bit speechless," he said.

"I just wanted to get out there and give it a bash. I got a good start and went out there fast and just tried to hold on to my speed. 

"It worked for me and I feel really proud and happy to have won the title."

Stephanie Millward swam close to her European record to win the women's 100m butterfly in a 1.10.78 time that just was under two tenths slower than her personal best.

"It was a good swim but a really tough race for me physically," she said.

"I went into the race worrying about the other competitors and when you let those doubts in you know it won't necessarily go to plan.

"But it was good although it would have been nice to have broken my European record but maybe another day. I am ecstatic to be champion."

And evergreen Scot Jim Anderson took Great Britain's gold medal tally to four on the opening day of the IPC European Championships with a victory in the 50m freestyle.

Poland's Jacek Czech took silver and Russia's Dmitry Kokarev completed the podium.

"I feel wonderful," said Anderson, after winning his first title for five years in a time of 1.09.24

"I didn't get a great start but I knew I just had to go for it after that and I managed to pull it back.

"I want more gold medals from the rest of this competition."