Ellie Simmonds targets Tokyo for a final shot at glory

The 24-year-old, from Aldridge, wants one last shot at glory in Japan next year having made her swimming comeback.

She will return with the British team to the London Aquatics Centre in September for the World Para Swimming Allianz Championships.

It marks her continued revival after she took a year out following the Rio Paralympics having considered quitting, but Simmonds is now eyeing Tokyo.

She said: “My main aim is to go to another Paralympics and get back on that team. Whatever now is going to be an added bonus. Mentally I’m in a better place than I was.

“If it doesn’t go well, it doesn’t go well but at least I’m trying. I’m happy I made that decision and went back into the pool instead of hanging up my goggles. I’m happy I didn’t give up on my sport.

“After Rio I was at that stage of ‘Do I end my time in the pool?’ but I thought I would give myself one more shot. I was scared with coming back after my achievements in Beijing, London and Rio. I have a lot of pressure on my shoulders. But I’m not doing it for other people, I’m doing it for myself.”

Simmonds has won 14 world titles in long and short course, the last coming in Glasgow four years ago, and was in the British squad Para-swimming’s European Championships in Dublin last August.

She also has returned to former coach Billy Pye, who helped her win four gold medals at the Beijing and London Paralympics, and feels in good form.

Simmonds said: “I’m in the right place and things are heading in the right direction. I’ve got my love back, my coach and a lot of people say ‘a happy swimmer is a fast swimmer’ and I’m at that stage where that’s me.

“I’m happy with not just sport but my life and it’s showing in the pool. I didn’t expect to be this fast at this time of the year. My aim was always to be at top form in Tokyo but to come in and qualify (for the Worlds) in the second fastest time I’ve ever done in the 400m free I shocked myself.”