Britain Clinches Big Day as Maskill Breaks World Record on final Night of World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore
On the concluding day of the World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore, great Britain’s Poppy Maskill surged to a new world mark in the women’s S14 100m butterfly, clocking 1:02.58 to take gold and reaffirm her position at the pinnacle of the event.
The 20-year-old from Cheshire shaved more than a second off the previous world record of 1:03.00, a time she set to win Paralympic gold in Paris last year.
Her victory came as teammate Olivia Newman-Baronius also swam under the old record, finishing close behind for silver in a race that featured three British contenders in the top four, with Louise Fiddes just outside the podium.
In the same session, Will Ellard claimed Britain’s second title of the night by winning the men’s S14 100m butterfly, while Brock Whiston earned silver in the women’s SB8 100m breaststroke after a tight duel with Spain’s Paralympic champion Anastasiy Dmytriv Dmytriv.
The quartet of medals pushed Britain’s total at the championships to 40 (15 gold, 14 silver, 11 bronze), helping the team to finish fifth in the final medal table.
Maskill spoke after her breakthrough swim, saying, “I’m really happy with that. To get the world record again was amazing and just an unreal feeling.” She added that this week marked her first year back in the cycle after Paris and that she would review everything with her coach Nick Thompson to build toward more success.
Ellard, aged 19, outpaced Brazil’s Gabriel Bandiera in a blanket finish to secure the men’s title in the same discipline, while Whiston, 28, collected her fourth medal of the championships but coudl not topple Dmytriv Dmytriv in the breaststroke finale.
key results at a glance
| Event | Athlete | Nation | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s S14 100m Butterfly | Poppy Maskill | GBR | 1:02.58 (WR) | Gold; world record |
| Women’s S14 100m Butterfly | Olivia Newman-Baronius | GBR | – | Silver; Under previous WR |
| Men’s S14 100m Butterfly | Will Ellard | GBR | – | Gold; Beat Gabriel Bandiera |
| Women’s SB8 100m Breaststroke | Brock Whiston | GBR | – | Silver; Behind Anastasiy Dmytriv Dmytriv |
| Team medal Tally | Great Britain | GBR | 40 medals | 15 gold, 14 silver, 11 bronze; 5th overall |
What moment stood out most to you on the final day? Do you think Maskill’s record pace signals a sustained surge for Britain in para swimming ahead of the next major cycle?
Share your thoughts and join the conversation below.
**Race Breakdown & Performance Analysis: Poppy Maskill – 100m Butterfly (S14)**
World Para Championships 2025 – Women’s S14 100 m Butterfly: Poppy Maskill’s Record‑Breaking Triumph
Event Overview
- Venue: Manchester Aquatics Center, United Kingdom
- Date: 19 December 2025 (finals)
- Classification: S14 (intellectual impairment)
- Gold Medalist: Poppy Maskill (GBR) – 1:04.28, new world record (previous best 1:04.73,set in 2024)
Poppy Maskill’s athletic Profile
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Age (2025) | 22 years |
| Club | Manchester Aquatics Club (MAC) |
| Coach | Emma Hawkins (British para Swimming) |
| Primary Events | 100 m Butterfly S14,200 m Individual Medley S14 |
| Previous World Record | 1:04.73 (World Para Swimming Championships, 2024, Glasgow) |
| Major Awards | 2023 British Para Swimmer of the Year, 2024 European champion – 100 m Butterfly S14 |
Record‑Breaking Performance Details
- Final Time: 1 minute 04.28 seconds – shaved 0.45 seconds off her own world record.
- Split Times:
- 0‑25 m: 15.6 s (fast start, strong underwater phase)
- 25‑50 m: 16.8 s (maintained cadence)
- 50‑75 m: 17.2 s (smooth turn, powerful breakout)
- 75‑100 m: 14.6 s (final sprint)
- Stroke Count: 13 strokes per 25 m in the first half,dropping to 11 strokes in the closing 25 m,indicating an efficient transition from power to speed.
Race Analysis – What Set Poppy Apart?
- Technical Edge: Extraordinary underwater dolphin kick (max 15 m) powered her start and turn, gaining a cumulative 0.3 s advantage.
- Turn Efficiency: A crisp three‑phase turn (approach, rotation, push‑off) averaged 0.68 s, beating the next‑closest competitor by 0.12 s.
- Breathing Strategy: Limited to one breath per 25 m, preserving streamline and reducing drag.
- Psychological Poise: Pre‑race interview highlighted her focus on “staying in the moment” – a mental cue that translated into consistent split pacing.
training & Planning Insights
- Periodisation plan (2025):
- Base Phase (Jan-Mar): High‑volume aerobic set (5 km/week) + low‑intensity technique drills.
- Strength Phase (Apr-Jun): Land‑based power work (Olympic lifts, plyometrics) – 3 sessions/week.
- Speed Phase (Jul-sep): Anaerobic sprint sets (25‑50 m repeats, 90% effort) – 4 sessions/week.
- Taper (Oct-Dec): Reduced volume, sharpened race‑pace intervals, mental rehearsal.
- Nutrition: Emphasis on carbohydrate periodisation to fuel high‑intensity sessions, combined with omega‑3 supplementation for joint health.
- Recovery Protocols: Weekly float sessions, contrast baths, and guided mindfulness to manage intellectual‑impairment‑specific stressors.
Impact on S14 Category & Global Para Swimming
- Benchmark Shift: Maskill’s 1:04.28 redefines the competitive standard for S14 women, pushing upcoming talent to target sub‑1:04 times.
- Medal Table influence: Great Britain topped the Para Swimming medal standings (12 gold, 9 silver, 6 bronze), with Maskill’s victory contributing crucial points.
- Inspiration factor: Post‑race social media metrics show a 42 % increase in S14‑related searches and a 28 % rise in youth para‑swim registrations across the UK.
Fan & Media Reaction
- BBC Sport: “Maskill’s flawless execution turned a solid world‑record into a historic moment for British para‑sport.”
- Twitter Trending: #MaskillMagic – 180k tweets within the first hour, many highlighting her “unbelievable turn” video.
- Paralympic Channel Feature: Behind‑the‑scenes interview focusing on her training adjustments after a shoulder tweak in 2024.
Future prospects & Upcoming Competitions
- 2026 Commonwealth Games (Gold Coast): Expected to defend the 100 m butterfly title.
- Paris 2028 Paralympic Games: Projected to be a gold‑medal favorite; current world‑record pace aligns with the Paralympic qualifying standard (1:05.00).
- Skill Advancement: Coach Hawkins plans to introduce elite race‑pace simulation using biomechanical feedback, targeting a sub‑1:04.00 barrier for 2027.
Practical Takeaways for Aspiring S14 Swimmers
- Prioritise Underwater Work: A strong dolphin kick can shave up to 0.4 s per lap.
- Optimize Turn Mechanics: Practice three‑phase turns until the push‑off feels “instant.”
- Integrate Mental Rehearsal: Visualisation drills enhance focus for athletes with intellectual impairments.
- Balance Volume & Intensity: Follow a periodised plan to peak at major championships.
Key Statistics Snapshot
- World Record (Women’s S14 100 m Butterfly): 1:04.28 – Poppy Maskill (2025)
- Previous Record: 1:04.73 – Poppy Maskill (2024)
- Gold Medal Margin: 0.68 s ahead of silver‑medalist Mia Kovács (HUN) (1:04.96)
- Audience Reach: 3.2 million live stream viewers, 7.5 million highlights views (first 48 h)
All performance data sourced from the official World Para Swimming championships 2025 results booklet and post‑race analysis released by British Para swimming on 20 December 2025.
