Teenagers in the medal mix in Doha
Three further medals were added to British Athletics’ medal tally on day eight (29 October) of the IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha. It was silver for both Sophie Hahn and Maria Lyle, with 17 year old Shaun Burrows adding a bronze.
Sophie Hahn (pictured right) ran the race of her life to win the silver medal in the T38 200m, recording a career best of 26.82. It took a world record from Margarita Goncharova (26.61) to beat the 100m champion, but the 18 year-old pushed the Russian all the way after a blistering start.
After the race, Sophie said:
“I am very happy because I didn’t expect to get a personal best. Margarita (Goncharova) is a fantastic athlete and I think her endurance got the better of me today.
"It was a very close race – I heard the crowd roaring and thought that might be a good thing but then I realised Goncharova was coming so I was just thinking to myself ‘I’ve got to get moving here’. My legs maybe tired a little and she got the better of me today. However, all the hard work has paid off and I’m so happy to win a silver medal."
15 year old Maria Lyle (pictured below) continued her progression to win the silver medal in the T35 100m in an official lifetime best of 13.92. Maria was level with Australian rival Isis Holt until the 14 year old opponent pulled away over the final to set a new world record of 13.63.
Maria, who also won 200m silver earlier in the week, commented afterwards:
“I’m happy with the time considering I had a bad start. I would have liked to have won the gold medal but it wasn’t to be, I tried my best.
“The start is something I’ll have to work on with my coach – we’ll have to focus on a lot of technical things. I’m going to have a hard winter training session to make sure I’m in even better shape ahead of Rio next year.”
Maria's attention will now turn swiftly to the T35-38 4x100m relay on Saturday (31 October) where she will join her teammates for her last race of the championships.
Earlier in the session 17 year old Shaun Burrows earned himself an unexpected bronze medal on his senior debut in the T38 400m. Shaun, who won IWAS Junior Games 200m gold in July, ran the race of his life to win a first world medal in a lifetime best of 53.45.
Whilst feeling the true lactic effects after the race, shaun said:
“I can’t believe I won a medal. My legs feel like jelly now but it was a very good race. I’m happy with a personal best and it gives me confidence for the 100m.”
British Athletics' medal tally at the IPC Athletics World Championships (27):
Gold (10): Paul Blake (T36 800m),Jo Butterfield (F51 club throw),Hannah Cockroft (T34 100m and 800m), Kadeena Cox (T37 100m),Aled Davies (F42 shot put and discus), Sophie Hahn (T38 100m), Georgie Hermitage (T37 400m), Richard Whitehead (T42 200m)
Silver (9): Paul Blake (T36 400m), Daniel Bramall (T33 100m), Sophie Hahn (T38 200m), Georgie Hermitage (T37 100m),Maria Lyle (T35 100m and 200m),Mel Nicholls (T34 800m),David Weir (T54 1500m & Marathon
Bronze (8): Kare Adenegan (T34 800m), Shaun Burrows (T38 400m), Jo Butterfield (F52 Discus), Kyron Duke (F41 Javelin), Toby Gold (T33 100m), Abbie Hunnisett (F32 club throw), Mo Jomni (T53 200m), Sammi Kinghorn (T53 200m)
Photo credit: Warren Little/getty images
