Northampton duo Zara Mullooly and William Perry set for Paralympics debut

Northampton swimmers Zara Mullooly and William Perry are set to make their Paralympics bow after being added to the squad for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

The duo have been hailed as ‘fantastic additions’ to the now 25-strong team which is heading to Japan.

Mullooly impressed at the London 2019 World Para Swimming Championships where she claimed silver and bronze medals, with new British records over her three freestyle events.

She said: “I’m so excited – it’s such an honour to have been selected for my first Paralympic Games. 

Really happy

“Obviously the last few months have been difficult waiting for my classification to be confirmed, and with competitive opportunities complicated due to Covid, it has been a big challenge. 

“So I’m really happy that everything is sorted and that I can just get my head down for the last few weeks and push on towards the Games.” 

Perry’s first competitive international experience came at this year’s European Championships in Madeira, but having shared lane ropes with fellow Tokyo-bound athletes Maisie Summers-Newton and Eleanor Robinson in training, he is keen to test himself further on the world stage.

He said: “Swimming alongside these incredible athletes day in, day out has definitely been a huge part of my learning. 

‘Challenge myself’

“In terms of the main goals I’d initially set myself at the start of this year, I’ve already far outdone them but I’m ready to challenge myself to see what I can achieve in Tokyo.”

Rob Aubry, British Para-Swimming Head Coach, said: “I’m really pleased we’re now able to announce the addition of both Will and Zara as part of our Tokyo 2020 selections. 

“Zara is a key member of the team for us over multiple distances in freestyle, and will push for a place within a relay combination. 

“She’s worked extremely hard in Covid measures and uncertainty, and it’s a real pleasure to have her confirmed as joining us for a Paralympic debut in Japan.

Hard work and resilience

“As for Will, he’s progressed tremendously having focused in on his 50m Freestyle, and enables our vision of fielding a further relay quartet in competition at the Games. 

“It’s great to have him as part of this journey to provide aspiration to lower classification swimmers coming through the ranks as to what can be achieved.”

Penny Briscoe, ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission, added: “Congratulations to both Will and Zara, who are both fantastic additions to the ParalympicsGB team. 

“Their hard work and resilience have paid off and I now look forward to seeing both swimmers in action in Tokyo alongside their teammates.”