TEENAGE swimming ace Rebecca Redfern is “over the moon” after scooping a silver medal for Great Britain at the Paralympic Games in Rio.

The 16-year-old believes it is “just the start” for her after swimming inside the world record in the 100-metre breaststroke SB13 final.

Despite knocking two seconds off her personal best, the Worcester Swimming Club star had to settle for second spot in Brazil.

Redfern, of Droitwich Spa, clocked one minute 13.81 seconds but was beaten to gold by Uzbekistan’s 17-year-old Fotimakhon Amilova in 1.12.45.

Redfern said: “I didn’t expect a time that quick but I knew there would be competition in the final.

“I can’t really put it into words. I’m so overwhelmed with everything. It has been an amazing experience.

“Being a youngster coming in early to the Paralympic Games, it’s a good foundation to start on. This is definitely just the start for me.”

Redfern was cheered on in South America by her proud father Steve and brother Anthony, who celebrated long into the night.

Steve said: “She was over the moon to come away with a silver medal at her first Paralympics but, more importantly, chuffed to bits with her time, as we all were.

“Her swim was the only thing she could influence and she absolutely smashed it.

“To swim more than two seconds under her personal best and previous world record was incredible and we could not have asked for more.

“Credit to the Uzbekistan swimmer who swam an amazing time to take gold but Rebecca will have her sights firmly set for future events now.”

Steve admitted he had “goosebumps” watching his daughter starring on the prestigious stage and it was “like nothing” he had experienced before.

“The Brazilians know how to create an electric atmosphere,” he said.

“The noise they created for their own swimmers was incredible but they were also very respectful of all other nationalities and have made this an event to remember.

“The television cameras caught Anthony and me in an emotional state after the race — that was how proud we both were of Rebecca.”

Redfern, who has a visual impairment, shone at the Team GB trials earlier this year and took her GCSEs at Droitwich Spa High School this summer.

“Rebecca has worked so hard to get to this point and has had to overcome a number of obstacles along the way but never makes a fuss about her challenges,” said Steve.

“To see her perform on such a huge stage, on which she clearly deserved to be, was awesome. Words can’t describe the feeling.”

Her father was “indebted” to friends who clubbed together using a GoFundMe page to help fund his trip to the Paralympics.

He said: “I would also like to thank all the people on social media who have made this feel so special for us all. The comments from all quarters have been overwhelming.”

Meanwhile, Great Britain women enjoyed a third consecutive wheelchair basketball win at the Paralympics with a 63-32 thrashing of hosts Brazil to ensure a place in the quarter-finals.