Ní Riain retains crown as Brady seals silver at World Para Swimming European Championships

Ireland had another successful night at the 2026 World Para Swimming European Championships as Róisín Ní Riain successfully defended her European 100m Backstroke (S13) title. The National Centre Limerick swimmer entered the race in pole position, having advanced from the morning heats as the fastest qualifier.

From the start, Ní Riain took control and led throughout, storming to European gold in a time of 1:06.21, finishing 2.80 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor, Italy’s Carlotta Gilli. Reflecting on her performance, Ní Riain expressed her happiness at improving her time from the morning heat and achieving a personal best.

Following her previous success, Dearbhaile Brady returned to the pool to contest the 50m Butterfly (S6) final after claiming a European silver medal in the 200m Individual Medley (SM6). The Irish swimmer led from the start and remained in front at the halfway mark before Italy’s Giulia Terzi mounted a late challenge.

The pair went stroke for stroke down the closing metres, with Brady stopping the clock at 35.87 to claim silver and Ireland’s fourth medal of the championships, finishing just 0.33 seconds shy of gold.