Medals galore for British team on first day in Doha
The British team were in unstoppable form as they won four gold, a silver and two bronze medals on the opening day of action at the IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha.
Sophie Hahn (Joe McDonnell) produced one of the performances of the day, obliterating the world record on her way to winning T38 100m gold. The 18 year old, who ran a lifetime best of 13.00 at the Anniversary Games in July, crossed the line in an astounding 12.60 to retain her world title from two years ago.
Hahn said:
“It’s amazing, I never expected to go that fast, I’m just so shocked. During the holding camp I was feeling fast but I’m over the moon to actually do it in the race. Thanks to my coach Joe McDonnell and Sam Heathcote (strength & conditioning coach), they have been amazing.
“Seeing Aled (Davies) win the gold medal this morning was so inspiring and the team are doing so well, that really helped me tonight.
“I’ve been working really hard on my starts and it paid off today. I’ve watched the Diamond League on this track so I knew it was quick. I think I can maybe take that world record down to 12.3 – 12.4 but I’ll have to see next year.”
Olivia Breen (Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo) was narrowly outside the medals in the same race, finishing in fourth clocking 13.46.
Fresh from setting a new world record time of 13.59 in the morning session, Kadeena Cox (Brian Scobie) won an impressive gold on her international debut, completing a British one-two in the T37 100m. Cox took top spot after a blistering start powering through the line in 13.60 ahead of fellow British newcomer Georgie Hermitage (Paul MacGregor), who took a well-deserved silver medal.
“It feels so good to be world champion. I was laid in bed last night just trying to not to think about it because it is all I wanted and I didn’t want to mess it up by over thinking it.
“I knew the former world record holder (Mandy Francois-Elie) and Georgie (Hermitage) were going to push me and give me a good race. I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy run but I knew I was in good shape, going off what I had run in the semi-final (the world record of 13.59).”
Hermitage, whose teammate Jenny McLoughlin (Keith Antoine) crossed in fifth place added: “Considering the last few months, I felt a silver was achievable and I am thrilled to have done that. Obviously everyone goes out there wanting the gold but I’m so glad it has gone to a Brit.
“To set the world record earlier as well, Kadeena has blown the T37 classification out of the water, so I am really pleased for her.”
Hannah ‘The Hurricane’ Cockroft (Jenni Banks) was in imperious form as the Yorkshire woman won her fifth career world gold medal in the T34 100m. Cockroft broke the championship record with a time of 17.73, with Kare Adenegan (Job King), the youngest athlete on the team finishing in fourth place posting 19.35.
After finishing fourth at the IPC Athletics European Championships, Abbie Hunnisett (Mark Hunnisett/Camilla Thrush) propelled herself into the medal positions with a superb bronze. The 20 year old’s best throw came in the third round courtesy of a throw of 21.09m, two centimetres off her personal best set in Newham last month.
“I’m really happy to win the bronze medal and get a PB. I will be going for the world record in Rio next year. “
Teammate Gemma Prescott (Mike Wood) finished a place further back in fourth with a best attempt of 19.52m.
Also winning bronze was Sammi Kinghorn (Ian Mirfin) in the T53 200m, as the British team ended day one top of the medal table with a total of eight medals.
The Scottish athlete commented:
“It’s just really exciting to be at my first World Championship. Five years ago I broke my back and now I am a world bronze medallist, it is incredible. I came into the 200m just hoping to make the final but I’ve managed to sneak a medal as well.”
It wasn’t to be for Dan Greaves (John Godina), as the European champion missed out on the medals with a fourth place finish in the F44 discus, an event won by long-time rival Jeremy Campbell, with a championship record of 61.21m.
After securing his place in the T53 100m final earlier in the day, Mo Jomni (Jenny Archer) produced a new personal best of 15.51 for a sixth place finish.
British Athletics' medal tally at the IPC Athletics World Championships:
Gold (4): Hannah Cockroft (T34 100m), Kadeena Cox (T37 100m), Aled Davies (F42 shot put), Sophie Hahn (T38 100m)
Silver (2): Georgie Hermitage (T37 100m), David Weir (T54 Marathon)
Bronze (2): Abbie Hunnisett (F32 club throw), Sammi Kinghorn (T53 200m)
