at the Swim Wales Disability Short Course Championships. 19 July 2010

11 times Paralympic Champion David Roberts, now training in Caerphilly, has set a new world record ahead of the World Championships next month.

David broke the 400m freestyle short course record on Saturday 17 July at the Swim Wales Disability Short Course Championships in Llandudno, Conwy. The World Record has stood since the year 2000, previously held by New Zealander Dean Booth.

He clocked 4:51.80 to break the previous record by three whole seconds (4:54) and set a new Personal Best by five seconds.

David who currently holds the same number of Paralympic gold medals as fellow Welsh athlete Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, said afterwards: “I was hoping to do a solid 400m, was aiming for under five minutes. I just felt really comfortable and it gives me a lot of confidence ahead of the World Championships, only a month away.

“I knew the pace was good but had no idea it was even close to the World Record. I looked straight up at the board and realised it was a World Record, which was quite a surprise! It is my first Personal Best since Beijing and shows that I am finally back on track, I have had my fair share of bad luck, with a few dramas, illnesses and injury over the past 12 months.

“It is the World Record I have been chasing for ages, now I hold the WR for 100m, 200m and 400m in the short course. My coach is delighted as it is the first World Record for him as a coach and he was there to see it on Saturday.”

David also holds four World Records in the long course, over 50m, 100m, 200m and 400m. The World Championships take place in Eindhoven from 15-21st August.