The 2018 World Para Swimming Allianz European Championships kicked off in Dublin, Ireland, with Edgaras Matakas and Mindaugas Dvylaitis, Lithuanian Sports University students with visual impairments. Edgaras finished fourth in men’s 50 m Freestyle. He beat the distance in 28.29 seconds and was behind the European champion, Belarussian H. Zudzilau by 1.28 seconds (27.01 sec.). The athletes are accompanied by LSU lecturer, swimming coach Birutė Statkevičienė.
“Edgaras gave all his strength, but emotions prevented from winning the medal. Psychological pressure was high, as Edgaras became the world champion in this distance last year. Therefore, it was necessary to prove again that he is the best. By the way, some of the best swimmers from Ukraine, Belarus and Poland did not participate last year. That was our athlete’s favourite event. 100 m Freestyle and 100 m Butterfly events will be even harder, but Edgaras has strong character and may still surprise,” said B. Statkevičienė.
Mindaugas Dvylaitis did not get the medal in 100 m Breaststroke at the Para Swimming Allianz European Championships. 21-year-old swimmer from Kaunas outdistanced two competitors and took the sixth place in the finals. M. Dvylaitis beat the distance in the final swim in 1 minute 27.51 seconds and was behind the champion Vyktor Smirnov from Ukraine by 10.36 seconds (1 minute 17.15 seconds). Spanish Israel Oliver won silver medal (1 minute 17.26 seconds), German Johannes Weinberg took bronze (1 minute 25.06 seconds).
Edgaras Matakas is in the second year of Sports Coaching study programme at Lithuanian Sports University, and Mindaugas Dvylaitis is a third-year student of Sports Management. Dita Kareckienė, a graduate of LSU, is their coach.
Photo by the National Paralympic Committee of Lithuania
Information provided by the Public Relations Office
