ALICE Tai was never convinced she would be able to add to her medal haul in the S8 200-metre medley final at the World Para Swimming Championship on Saturday, admitting the fatigue of competing at an international meet had fully taken its toll.

The New Milton star burst to life in the first two lengths but was quickly caught in the breaststroke leg by her compatriot Brock Whiston, slowing to finish fourth in 2:51.04.

While some may have expected Tai to clinch her seventh medal of the championship, the 20-year-old was never so sure and instead admitted her shock at coming anywhere near the top three after a week of relentless competition at the London Aquatics Centre.

“I got halfway down that breaststroke leg and I couldn’t feel my body,” said Tai.

“I turned on to the freestyle leg and I knew it was going to be impossible to keep up.

“I don’t train breaststroke at all so fourth is a pretty good outcome for me. Anything with breaststroke, I really struggle with. I’m struggling a lot with tiredness now so I’m pleased with how that one went.”

It’s been a week of resounding success for Tai, who has contributed six gold medals to Great Britain’s tally of 15 in Stratford, with one day remaining to secure further success.

For Tai, the season could not have gone better with the young superstar confident ahead of the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

“I’m excited to see what I can do next season after the year I’ve had,” added Tai.

“I’ve had such great swims here and throughout the season, so I can’t wait to bring it all together for Tokyo and smash it there.”

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