JANETTE Cardy produced an astonishing achievement when winning a title at the first British Open Water Swimming Championships at Hyde Park.

The Witney athlete not only won the women’s 45-49 age group crown, but in so doing went faster than the equivalent men’s victor.

The 45-year-old, pictured, covered the 3.3km course in 48 minutes, which was also quicker than that achieved in the women’s 35-39 and 40-44 categories.

It’s the latest in a triumphant career for Cardy after she suffered a stroke in 2010 – and she still has to take medication every day.

In 2014, she won a silver medal at the World Aquathlon Championships (swimming and running), having taken gold at that year’s European Championships.

Recently she qualified for this month’s World Triathlon Championships in Mexico, but did not have the funds to make the trip.

What makes her success even more remarkable was that two months ago she broke her elbow when falling off her bike.

“I couldn’t train for a couple of weeks and could still feel it when swimming,” she said.

“But I train very hard and also have a job coaching swimming and running, which keeps me fit.”