Dolphins win day one medals at para swimming worlds

Two-time Paralympian Rowan Crothers has led a one-two finish for Australia's first gold medal on day one of the para swimming world championships in Manchester, England.

Crothers, who won the men's 50m freestyle S10 at the Tokyo Games, touched first in 23.42 seconds to pip compatriot Tom Gallagher (23.70).

Jasmine Greenwood (28.43) placed fifth in the women's equivalent in the final event of Monday night.

"I'm so stoked, to get up there and just do my all for my country is amazing," the 25-year-old Crothers, from Gosford in NSW, said.

"What we've come through ... Tommy with his different surgeries and things with his pancreas, I had COVID and a nasty little elbow thing in this block.

"To come through that and be on top of everyone else in the world is pretty amazing.

"What really keeps me motivated - more than the medals, more than the times - is being able to do what I can to inspire young people with a disability to get out there.

"I just want other kids growing up to find that same kind of happiness that I have."

Eleven of Australia's 26-strong team were in action on the opening day of competition, with five taking home medals.

Keira Stephens, Jenna Jones and Jack Ireland also stood on the podium on Monday.

Stephens locked down the Dolphins' first medal of the meet with bronze in the women's 100m breaststroke S9 with a time of 1:16.73.

Jones took silver after swimming a personal best of 1:12.27 in the final of the women's 100m backstroke S12, while Ireland (1.55.36) secured his first ever world championships individual medal with bronze in the men's 200m freestyle S14.

Ireland had collected silver at the 2022 worlds in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay S14, and took home bronze in last year's Commonwealth Games 200m free S14.

In other finals results, Ruby Storm (2:14.02) and Madeleine McTernan (2:16.40) finished seventh and eighth respectively in the women's 200m freestyle S14, while Ella Jones (5:12.76) finished fourth in the women's 400m freestyle S8.