PARA-SWIMMER Becky Redfern broke the 100-metre breaststroke world record at the British Summer Championships in Sheffield.

The 16-year-old from Droitwich Spa was the first in the SB13 visual impairment class to beat one minute 16 seconds, clocking 1.15.96 to win gold in the final.

The Worcester Swimming Club ace previously broke the record with 1.16.86 in April as she qualified for her first Paralympics for Great Britain.

But Germany’s Elena Krawzow, silver medallist in the event from London 2012, lowered it again in June with 1.16.23 in Berlin.

Krawzow also denied Redfern the title on her international debut at the IPC European Championships in Funchal, Madeira.

She finished just 0.02 seconds ahead of the British swimmer on 1.17.44 in May.

With both now having lowered the world record since, the renewal of their rivalry could be one of the clashes of Rio next month.

Redfern has been given a helping hand by the University of Worcester.

She said the strength and conditioning training through their outreach programme has made a difference.

Redfern, who has a degenerative eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa, spends nearly 16 hours a week training at Worcester Swimming Pool.

For the last 18 months, she has joined fellow city swimmers with trainee students and staff from the university.

“It can be tough but it’s worth it,” Redfern said. “It’s helped me because I got some strength beyond all the water training.

“My core strength has improved. I have dropped four seconds in a year and this has played a role in that.”

The former Droitwich High School pupil, who has just finished her GCSEs, continued: “I cannot wait for the Paralympics.

“I’m looking forward to spending time with the team and getting to know everyone but also racing and hopefully coming home with my first Paralympic medal.

“My dad and older brother are coming over to Rio for a couple of days to watch me race, which is also very exciting and quite comforting to know my family will be there with me when I do race.”

Redfern’s extra training is part of the university’s community efforts with local sports clubs.

Students in sports science and coaching work with the athletes at the University of Worcester Arena or in the community.

They are supervised by university strength and conditioning coach Marc Scriven.

Redfern has worked recently with second year sports science student Rhodri Curtis.

“Teams within the community get access to high-level coaching and, in some cases, facilities which they wouldn’t have or wouldn’t be able to afford under normal circumstances,” said Scriven.

“The students will not get a job without practical experience if they cannot show they can apply what they have learnt.

“It’s nice for our students to be able to have an impact on the community and in Becky’s case help her achieve her Paralympic dream.”