ATHENS, Sept. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Mayumi Narita from Japan showed her real talent and strength in the pool by winning the third consecutive gold medal in her category in the 12th Paralympic Games here on Tuesday.

    After sweeping the two gold medals at stake in women's S4 classification on the first two days, the powerful Japanese crowned the third time consecutively in the 200m freestyle.

    Narita, 34, took off first and went ahead with an unbelievable pace that none of her lineups were able to catch up.

    At the last turn, she had gone ahead of her own world record, and kept a great margin of nearly a-course-long to win in three minutes and two seconds, taking more than seven seconds off her previous world record.

    "I am not so good in the 200m," said Narita, "but I am happy with my time."

    The third day of the swimming program saw the first events in the S1 and S2 classifications.

    The men's 100m freestyle S1 was a straight final. Defending Paralympic champion Itzhak Mamistalov from Israel touched in 2:35.24, bettering his own Paralympic record, but fairly outside his world record time of 2:25.78 set earlier this year.

    The women's 100m freestyle S2 was also be a straight final with Espanol Sara Carracelas to have controlled the pool and win in 2:49.38.

    In the men's 100m backstroke S6, the current world record holder Igor Plotnikov of Russia faced little challenge from his opponents. He finished 1:13.99 to create a new world record.

    Erin Popovich from the United States enjoyed another last-meter win in the women's 100m breaststroke in SB7 category, after pulling off China's Huang Min in women's SM7 200m Individual Medley the opening day.

    Ros Kristin Hakonardottir from Israel led for 98 meters and was almost touched the second gold for her nation. However, the American came out at the last two meters to throw her finger to the wall first, upsetting the Israelian by .18 second. Hakonardottir took the silver ahead of Huang Min.

    The other 14 golds were shared by 10 countries and regions. Altogether eight world records were renewed on the day.

    The swimming program, featuring 167 disciplines of the 12th Paralympic Games is being held at the Indoor Pool of the Aquatic Center on September 19-27.

    China fielded a biggest squad of 52 athletes while Spain and United States are leading the other big teams. Enditem