Scintillating Scully smashes PB at Rio final

Ratoath's James Scully produced a stunning personal best performance to finish sixth in the S5 200m Freestyle final at the 2016 Paralympics in the Rio Aquatics Centre shortly after midnight Irish time on Friday morning.

Scully, who described the experience as 'the pinnacle moment of my career to date', swam an incredible lifetime best of 2:51.45 spurred on by the 10,000 strong crowd who were primarily behind hometown favourite and Brazilian wonder swimmer Daniel Dias.

Scully had progressed to the final in a time of 2:53.17 when finishing third in his heat, which was, to that point, his second fastest swim ever in the event. His previous best time of 2:53.03 was from the London 2012 Paralympic final and he bettered that by over a second and a half in last night's final.

'I cherish a personal best time everytime over a medal. I have won medals at Europeans and Worlds and I really embraced those moments, but to be able to come here and achieve a lifetinme best and a top eight finish at the Olympic Games, this is the top moment in my career so far,' said Scully.

'I’ve been chasing a PB and came up short so many times since London, there’s been so much heartbreak, but to be able to do it, this is when it counts. I knew when I swam 0.1 off it this morning that there was a lot left in the tank and I released it there.

'I’m over the moon, 10 out of 10, this is absolutely the pinnacle moment of my career to date. The atmosphere out there, I can’t stress it enough, it will never be matched at another Games, I’m so grateful to Brazil they’ve put on a phenomenal show.

'People underestimate the crowds, the atmosphere they create, 10,000 people, I know they were screaming for someone else, but I went out there and thought they’re screaming for me now, so I embraced the atmosphere.'

Brazil’s  Dias won the event to the delight of the home fans in 2:27.88 while USA’s Roy Perkins touched for silver in 2:38.56 and Great Britain’s Andrew Mullins claimed bronze in 2:40.65.

Despite finishing behind Dias Scully was immensely proud of his time and his performance on the biggest stage of them all.

'In London I swam a 2:53 to come fifth, the heat swim I had in London wouldn't have made the final here in Rio, while my time in the final in London would have saw me come last, so I'm absolutely thrilled.

'To finish with a personal best and alifetime performance is just brilliant. The atmosphere was brilliant and i just smiled at it even though it wasn't for me. The buzz was for everyone.

'I had focused on that last lenght because it was something I wasn't happy with in the heat when my last lenght was just too slow. My focus was to do the same for the first section and then on the last lenght just really go for it.

'I have only ever heard a crowd scream in a race and the other tinme was at London in 2012. You don't get opportunities like this too often.

'I train a lot with Arthur Lanigan-O'Keeffe and Natalya Coyle and they are an inspiration to me, they push me on.'

Despite being claimed as a Meath man Scully confessed that he considers himself a proud Dubliner, but he is very honoured of all the support and praise he receives in his adopted county of Meath.

'I'm a Dub in Meath. I have lived in Meath most of my life, but I'm a Dub originally, that's where my roots are. I hate to upset all the guys in Meath because they have all been brilliant to me.

'The Meath Chronicle have just been outstanding towards me and they have supported me every step of the way. When I'm pushed I have to say I'm a Dublin supporter though,' concluded the Ratoath man.

Scully returns to the pool on Monday for the 50m Freestyle heats.