Sascha's Coach Wins Coach of the Year Award

Sascha's swimming coach, Emma Patrick, picked up the Coach of the Year Award at last night's Herefordshire Sports Awards held at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford.

Patrick, who coaches Sascha and his partner Nyree Lewis at Leominster Kingfisher Swimming Club, picked up the award after her continuous hard work to ensure both Sascha and Nyree remain at the top of their sport and an integral part of the British Paralympic Swimming Team.

Speaking about the award for their coach Sascha said, "We're lucky to have a coach who has helped us to remain at the top of our sport for so long and are over the moon that she's received the recognition and accolades that her skills merit."

Sascha to Appear on A Question of Sport on Friday 12th February

Sascha will be appearing on one of his all-time favourite shows next Friday as he joins Sue Barker plus team captains Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell on the popular television quiz show A Question of Sport.

Having been a big fan of the show since his early teens, Sascha religiously watched A Question of Sport with his family every week and always dreamed of one day being on the show and battling with the team captains.

Now having become one of Great Britain's most successful Paralympic swimmers, Sascha's dream comes true next week as he joins former international footballer Ian Dowie on Matt Dawson's team whilst Gary Speed and rugby league coach Brian Noble join Phil Tufnell's team.

Having already been filmed last month, viewers can expect a great show with plenty of laughs and the usual tense finish.

For more detials see http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qsw81.

Sascha In the News - Hereford Times

Kindred enjoys his moment in Mastermind ‘black chair'

SWIMMING star Sascha Kindred showed his devilish side this week on a popular BBC quiz show, writes IAN MORGAN.

The Paralympian star chose the Red Devils of Manchester United as his specialist subject on Monday night's Celebrity Mastermind.

The Leominster Kingfisher achieved 10 correct answers on 20 years of Manchester United from 1990 to 2010.

For more click here.

Sascha Faces Toughest Challenge Yet in Legendary Black Chair

Sascha took on one of the toughest challenges of his career to date today as he competed with fellow celebrities on Mastermind for a much coveted Celebrity Mastermind trophy.

That's right, our very own Sascha Kindred sat in the famous black chair today and was asked questions on his chosen specialist subject, ‘Manchester United 1990 to Present', from Mr John Humphrey's himself.

Sascha took part on behalf of The Fire Fighters Charity, a charity which provides support to thousands of fire fighters across the United Kingdom each year.

Sascha's involvement with the Fire Fighters Charity began just after the Beijing 2008 Paralympics after the charity invited him to open a swimming pool at a Fire Fighters Rehabilitation Centre in Littlehampton, Hampshire.

Sascha said, “I've always wondered what it would be like to sit on the Mastermind chair and was delighted to be asked and to be able to support a charity like the Fire Fighters Charity.

“I've always been humbled by the amazing work that fire fighters across the country do each day to save the lives of others, yet often we don't hear about those that might need support, so any assistance I can give to help them receive that support is an honour,” he added.

Sascha was up against comedy writer Stewart Lee and actors John Thomson and Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter's loyal lieutenant) and knew the competition would be tough.

Speaking about facing questions in the famous black chair Sascha said, “I was optimistic about my specialist subject as I've been a loyal supporter of Manchester United for many years now, but general knowledge I'm not usually that strong on so I was a bit nervous about that.” Sascha said.

"I loved every second of it though as not many people sit in that chair and to be able to help my chosen charity makes it worthwhile," he added.

See how Sascha did on BBC iPlayer at BBC Mastermind.

Sascha Adds Silver to Medal Haul in Rio

Sascha signed off from the World Short Course Championship in Rio by picking up a Silver medal in the 100M SB7 Breaststroke.

Sascha finished behind the fast improving Australian Blake Cochrane who touched home first in a new Short Course World Record time of 1:17.91.

Sascha stayed close to Cochrane for the first 50m and although he was of similar pace on the straight as the Australian, he couldn't match him for speed on the turns, touching home in a time of 1:22.48 to pick up Silver. Thomas Young, also of Great Britain, finished third in a time of 1:25.38.

Speaking after the race Sascha said, "It's my first defeat at the distance in a major championship since 1998 so I'm a bit disappointed, but full credit where credit is due, someone had to do something special to beat me and Blake did just that."

Overall, the medal means Sascha's total medal tally from Rio is an impressive three Golds, all in new World Record times plus the Silver from the 100m SB7 Breaststroke.

"I'm really pleased with how things have gone overall. The conditions were really tough with it being so warm which was a good experience, but I'll be glad to get back and start concentrating on the World Championships in Eindhoven next year."

It's Three from Three for Sascha in Rio

Sascha picked up his third gold medal at the IPC World Short Course Championships today after taking victory in the men's 50M S6 Butterfly.

Sascha clocked yet another World Record time after winning in a time of 31.38 seconds, knocking 0.42 seconds off his previous best time of 31.80 which he set in Sheffield two weeks ago. He finished ahead of Spain's David Vidal Fuster in 31.94 and Igor Plotnikov of Russia in 35.31.

The win means Sascha has secured gold in World Record times in all three of his races so far, after winning in the 100M and 200M Individual Medley events earlier this week.

"I'm delighted to make it three from three as this was the hardest race for me so far. David Fuster pushed me all the way but I felt very strong and dug deep on the second length."

Sascha has the 100M S7 Breaststroke up next and knows it's going to be tough to make it four from four.

"I've not been beaten for some time in the 100M Breaststroke, but the Australian Blake Cochrane has been swimming fast so it's going to be tough to make it four from four. I'm swimming fast too though so it'll make for a great race."

More news soon...

BBC Coverage: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/disability_sport/8396736.stm

Another World Record for Sascha on Day 4 of World Short Course Championships

It was another World Record for Sascha today as he won the 100M SM6 Individual Medley to make it two wins out of two at the World Short Course Championships.

Like yesterday, Sascha dominated the race and led from start to finish, touching home in a time of 1:14.67, beating the time of 1:15.89 he set in Sheffield two weeks ago.

Speaking after the race Sascha said, "I was hoping to go 1:14 so I'm pretty pleased with that. It shows I'm in form in my best events so I feel positive about my butterfly event in two days time also."

BBC Coverage: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/disability_sport/8392170.stm

Sascha Breaks World Record on Day 3 of World Short Course Champs

Sascha swam in his first race at the World Short-Course Swimming Championships in Rio today and was again in impressive form as he achieved a new World Record time in the 200M SM6 Individual Medley.

His time of 2:41.24 means that Sascha broke the world record in the event for the second time in just over a week after breaking it at the recent DSE Swimming Championships event in Sheffield.

“It is really good to be the first ever short course World Champion,” Kindred said. “However, I was slightly disappointed with the time because I swam that fast last weekend but I did dominate the race.

“I would have liked it if the Chinese team had been here because they are my closest rivals. It was like a time trial for me today and I felt it in that race.”

Inaugural World Short-Course Swimming Championships to Start this Sunday.

The inaugural World Short-Course Swimming Championships will begin this Sunday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, home of the 2016 Paralympic Games.

The championships will be the first major world championships at short-course distance to be held on the world stage and will see swimmers compete in the shorter 25m pools between the 29th November and 5th December 2009.

Team GB have sent out a strong team to the games which includes our very own Sascha who will again be out to claim Gold in a number of events including the 200M Individual Medley, 100M Breaststroke and 50M Butterfly.

Speaking about the upcoming event, Sascha said, "Obviously it is the inaugural event and it is going to be a different experience but I will be doing four events and I will be aiming to get medals in all four."

"It is pretty exciting and I would say 90 per cent of my training is geared towards short course rather than long course. It will be nice to see precisely what it is like - racing short course at elite level," he continued.

Sascha will face some stiff competition, especially in the 100M SB7 Breaststroke. Sascha has been unbeaten at the distance at major championship level for 10 years, but his main rival Blake Cochrane from Australia recently broke Sascha's World Record to take the world number one spot.

"It's going to be tough as Blake is young and getting better all the time, but there's no reason why I can't go faster too so I'll be trying my best to take back my crown."

Although Sascha has lost his World Record in the 100M Breaststroke, he has gained a World Record in the 100M Butterfly and is now number one in the event for the first time.

"I'm really looking forward to swimming the in the butterfly event as I've been getting stronger and stronger so I'm confident of doing well," he said.

For more information the event you can visit the Rio 2009 Website by clicking here.

News and results will of course be posted here as the event progresses so watch this space.