TOM Hamer marked his Paralympic debut with silver in Rio but the 18-year-old was already turning his attention towards upgrading to gold in four years time.

The reigning European champion in the 200m freestyle S14, Rawtenstall's Hamer was looking to add Paralympic champion next to his name in Rio’s Olympic Aquatics Stadium.

He had looked in fine fettle in the morning’s heats, setting a new Paralympic record of 1:57.31 to win his heat, although that time was then beaten by Australia’s Daniel Fox in the second heat in 1:57.19.

Former Burnley Bobcat Hamer managed to get the better of his Australian rival in the final to nudge him into third but unfortunately for the Brit, there was still a faster swimmer in the pool with Hong Kong’s Tang Wai Lok setting a new Paralympic best time of 1:56.32.

And while delighted to get on the podium, Hamer admitted to mixed fortunes after missing out on the title by two tenths of a second.

“I’m really happy with that. I came in here to win it so I’m happy but disappointed,” said Hamer, who will also compete in the men’s 200m individual medley SM14 on Saturday.

“I just thought I would get it but the swimmer came out of nowhere.

“I’m in the best shape of my life so far, I’m only 18, I’ve got a couple more years to come and hopefully going forward my rivals won’t be anywhere near me.

“I’ve got a lot more in the tank. I’m not sure what happened.

“It’s fingertips away from gold. I’m going to keep working hard, I want to win.”

Hamer lay in second place at the turn, powering back in the final 25 metres to draw level with Tang, but the Hong Kong swimmer touched first in what was an almost blanket-finish.

The 18-year-old made his international para-swimming debut at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, before going on to win bronze medals at both the World and European Championships a year later.

The former Alder Grange pupil who trains at the Manchester National Performance Centre, has set British records in the 50m, 200m and 400m freestyle S14.

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