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Kings Langley swimmer Tim Hodge makes a splash at his Paralympics debut in Rio

KINGS  Langley super swimmer Timothy Hodge has completed his events at the Rio Paralympics with stellar results.

Timothy Hodge puts his prosthetic leg on after competing in the men's 100-meter backstroke S9 swimming event during the Paralympic Games in Rio. Photo: AP Photo/Felipe Dana
Timothy Hodge puts his prosthetic leg on after competing in the men's 100-meter backstroke S9 swimming event during the Paralympic Games in Rio. Photo: AP Photo/Felipe Dana

KINGS  Langley super swimmer Timothy Hodge has completed his events at the Rio Paralympics with stellar results.

On Saturday morning, 15-year-old Hodge swam the men’s 100m backstroke, his pet stroke. He finished third in his heat, behind fellow Aussie Brendan Hall and Polish swimmer Patryk Biskup, who came first.

There was a difference of only .99s between Hodge and Biskup, who qualified with a time of 1.05.00

Hodge, who attends Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown, was sixth with a time of 1.05.18. Italy’s Tamas Toth nabbed the gold medal with a time of 1.04.30.

Australia’s Paralympics squad have arrived in Sydney to much applause following a successful campaign in Rio.

Timothy and his family earlier this year, with his parents Stephen and Cheryl Hodge and brother Mitchell.
Timothy and his family earlier this year, with his parents Stephen and Cheryl Hodge and brother Mitchell.

Australia finished fifth on the final medal tally, having collected 81 medals including 22 gold.

Hodge, who swims in category S9, swam a personal best in the 100m backstroke with a time of 1.05.62 in the Adelaide swimming trials in April this year. He competed in eight events at the Rio Paralympics; including freestyle events, butterfly, medley and relay races.

The swimmer has had an affinity with the pool since he was four, when he was diagnosed with a lower-leg deficiency that led doctors to amputate his right foot.

Hodge was named in the Australian men’s swim team at just 14 and went to Glasgow for the 2015 IPC World Swimming Championships.

He competed in seven events, with his best results being fourth in the 4x100m medley relay and sixth in the 100m backstroke.

The Patrician Brothers College student plans to catch up on school work now that he has returned back home.
The Patrician Brothers College student plans to catch up on school work now that he has returned back home.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/blacktown-advocate/sport/kings-langley-swimmer-tim-hodge-makes-a-splash-at-his-paralympics-debut-in-rio/news-story/082fa8b588cfe3b0b62cf0f4f8ee4847