Golden night of athletics action for ParalympicsGB
It was a night to remember on day two at the Olympic Stadium as ParalympicsGB athletes picked up four golds and bronze. Georgina Hermitage, Sophie Hahn, Libby Clegg and Jonnie Peacock all won Paralympic titles while there was also a third-placed finish for Kadeena Cox.
Hermitage kicked things off first up as she posted a world record time of 13.13 in the 100m T37, 0.32 seconds ahead of second-placed Mandy Francois-Ellie.
Alton’s Hermitage, who trains in Guildford, is competing in her first ever Paralympic Games and also has the 400m and 4x100m events to come.
Hermitage said:
“I am a Paralympic gold medallist, it is an amazing feeling. I couldn’t have asked for more today. I was worrying so much in warm-up and call room, I am such an over thinker but I’ve won on the biggest stage and I’m delighted. Of course the dream is to win more gold medals (this week) but we will have to see, fingers crossed. (On whether her daughter Tilly will be watching at home in the UK). She better not be, she should be in bed! I have a photo of her with me when I’m racing so she is always with me. I was pregnant when I watched the 2012 Games so this has been a great journey to this point.”
Nottingham’s Hahn then quickly followed Hermitage onto the top step of the medal rostrum with a Paralympic record-equalling run of 12.62 in the 100m T38. Teammate Kadeena Cox, from Leeds, was third in 13.01 with Olivia Breen seventh in 13.41.
Hahn said:
“It’s unbelievable – to be watching on TV in London and then four years later to be Paralympic champion it’s incredible. There’s been a lot of hard work, tears that have gone into the last few years and it’s all paid off, so I’m really happy. It’s amazing to have my mum and dad here and looking forward to seeing them after as they’ve been a great support to me.”
Bollington’s Clegg continued the gold rush in the 100m T11 when she and guide Chris Clarke clocked 11.96 to take the win by two hundredths of a second from China’s Zhou Guohua.
The British duo had initially been disqualified on the basis Clarke had illegally aided Clegg during their world-record setting semi-final run of 11.91 but they were reinstated after a successful appeal.
Clegg said:
“It’s not really hit me just yet. I’m over the moon, we ran a pretty similar time to the semi-final so I’m pleased with that. Chris has been fantastic. I had a change of guides back in November and then Chris and I started working together in February.”
Peacock rounded off the night in emphatic fashion as he successfully defended the 100m T44 title he won at London 2012.
The 23-year-old sprinter from Cambridge equalled the Paralympic record of 10.81 to beat his rivals by 0.21 seconds.
Peacock said:
“Nothing’s ever going to beat London for the achievement but as a sporting achievement this was so much greater for me. The talent that was in this class today was unbelievable. Paralympics sport is progressing so much at the minute. I just want to say thank you to everyone who has been involved supporting me, there’s too many to name.”
Elsewhere London 2012 100m T53 Paralympic champion Mickey Bushell, of Shrewsbury, had to settle for sixth in the final in a time of 15.09 with Canada’s Brent Lakatos taking the win in 14.44.
