IN THE POOL - Swimming.Org

SWIMMING PROFILES: WOMEN
LIZ JOHNSON
Club: University of Bath/Manchester HPC
Coach: Mick Massey
Dob: 03/12/1985
Born: Newport
Trains: Manchester
Lives: Manchester
Occupation: Full time swimmer
QUALIFIED EVENTS:
100m Backstroke, 200m Individual Medley
ACHIEVEMENTS:
IPC European Championships 2011: SB6 100Br Gold,
S6 50Fly 7th, SM6 200IM 6th
IPC World Championships 2010: SM6 100Br Bronze,
SM6 200IM 6th
IPC European Championships 2009: S6 50Fr 6th,
S6 100Ba 5th, SB6 100Br Silver
Paralympic Games 2008: S6 50Fr 8th, SB6 100Br Gold,
S6 50Fly 12th
IPC World Championships 2006: S6 50Fr 8th, SB6 100Br Gold,
S6 50Fly 7th, SM6 200IM 4th, 20pt 4x50FR Gold
Paralympic Games 2004: SB6 100Br Silver, S6 50Fly 9th
IN THE POOL
How were the Paralympic trials for you? I didn’t swim as well
as I hoped to have done but still got a world class time and
nominated for the team which was the focus. I am still on
target for the summer though and you have to be in it to win
it. The performances from trials have allowed me to make a
few tweaks which will be good.
What are your goals for the London Paralympics? To swim
faster than I have ever swam before. So I can walk away and
know that I have not left anything in the locker room.
What has been your finest performance so far and why?
Winning 100m Breaststroke gold in Beijing, 2008. I
remember the relief I felt when I realised that I won. It was
such a great reward knowing that everything I had put into it
had been worth it.
What is your favourite Event? The 100m Breaststroke unless
we could invent a 25m Breaststroke?
When was your international senior debut? 2001 European
Championships in Stockholm.
Who is your toughest opponent? The world record holder
is Mallory Weggemann so is tough to beat and Charlotte
Henshaw domestically. I always want to beat my personal
best though so I am probably my toughest opponent.
Best Venue? The pool in Beijing. It was fast, a spectacular
building, the crowd were amazing and I won. The whole
package was great.
OUT OF THE POOL
Do you have any Superstitions? No, I used to be superstitious
when I was younger. I always say hello to a magpie when I
see one though. I think that is my gran’s fault.
Favourite way to relax? Just hanging out with my friends or
watching a movie or going to a restaurant.
Any hobbies away from the pool? I like shopping and
travelling but I don’t have much time for that at the moment.
I like to try new foods also and enjoy going to live sport.
What’s the best thing you cook? I like to make curry.
Best concert you have been to? Strictly Come Dancing. I am
a big fan and we went to see it live after Beijing. I also went
to see the Brit Awards in 2011 and that was amazing.
Who would you most like to meet? David Beckham.
What are your must watch TV programmes? Homeland, The
Wire and The Good Wife.
What could you not live without Laptop or Mobile? Mobile, I
can do everything on it.
Ideal holiday destination? I want to go to Australia and do
the whole travel thing.
Which five people would you want at your ultimate dinner
party? Mary Poppins, David Beckham, My Mum, My
boyfriend and James Martin.
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