by Stuart Weir
7 Para World Golds for GB
The World Para Athletics championships took place in Delhi earlier this month, with Brazil topping the medal table with 15 gold medals and China gaining the most medals with 52. Britain was seventh with 25.
GB’s seven gold medal winners (with comments) were
Aled Davis
F63 Shot Put 16.44m
“After last year’s heartbreak and the pain I’ve been in for the last four or five years, I’ve accepted I needed to have a few repairs. I’ve done it, I’ve rebuilt in the silence and darkness on my own, and I’ve been able to compete again”.
Dan Pembroke
F13 Javelin Final 68.51 PB
“It was a relief – I didn’t tell anyone, but I haven’t thrown a javelin for four and a half weeks. I was trying to find my head out there – I’m ecstatic with the win, but I’m always looking to push my performance and the world record more and more.
Hannah Cockcroft
T34 800m 1:49.88 CR
T34 400m 55.62 CR
T34 100m 17.28
“I’m buzzing with that one (800)– that’s the performance I’m most proud of here. It’s just relief—it always gets tougher.
“I thought the time (100) would be quicker – but ultimately it’s all about the medals. I’m never satisfied – I feel like I’m not there yet. I know there’s better to come and I can go quicker. I think that’s what keeps you going – there are so many new girls competing.
Sabrina Fortune
T20 Shot Put 16.75 WR
“I’m over the moon – I’m so, so happy and honestly can’t believe it. I wasn’t expecting that far – I wanted 16m and wanted to push towards LA, where I’d hopefully hit 17m, but this pushes our plan off quite a bit!
Victoria Levitt
T44 100m 13.22
“I’m still shell-shocked. I can’t believe this is what I’ve walked away with. I just wanted to get out first, lead all the way through, and then when I crossed the line and didn’t see anybody else, I was like, ‘Does this mean I’m first?’ Being world champion is probably the scariest thing I’ve ever heard – and probably will take some time to sink in.”
