Olivia Breen struck gold for Great Britain on the morning of the fourth day of the World Para-Athletics Championships in London, claiming victory in the T38 long jump and putting memories of her flop at last year’s Paralympics firmly in the past.
Two fouls followed by a jump of 3.99m was only good enough for 12th place in Rio de Janeiro last year but there were no nerves from the 20-year-old on the runway at the London Stadium as she dominated the competition and delighted thousands of schoolchildren at the morning session.
She opened up with an impressive 4.61m before setting a personal best of 4.72m with her third jump, before going even further in the fourth round with a jump of 4.81m.
“I have been jumping really well this year and it really has been my best season ever,” Breen said. “I knew what I needed to do, and I’ve put all the hard work in so I was just telling myself to get the job done.
“I knew I had it in me to win gold; I always give 100 per cent so I am over the moon to do it; it has all come together at the right time. My family and friends are here today so it is amazing to share this moment with them.”
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Sophie Kamlish broke a world record with her run of 12.90 to win her preliminary heat in the T44 100m. At last year’s Paralympics, she also broke a world record in the heats but missed out on a medal in the final, so she will be hoping to change that in tonight’s session.
“I made the conscious effort to slow down at the end because I couldn’t see anyone behind me, so I wasn’t expecting to break my world record at all,” Kamlish said. “It shows that if I can push it to the line in the final I can do it.
“Tonight I think it’s all about staying relaxed because I’m likely to get a better start than most people. It’s a case of just relaxing.”
Further success is anticipated for the hosts today, with wheelchair racer Hannah Cockroft and double amputee Richard Whitehead chasing their second golds, in the T34 800m and T42 100m respectively.
Whitehead qualified quickest in the T42 100m, an event he is yet to win at a global championships. The 40-year-old, who won the 200m on Saturday, clocked 12.35 seconds.
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Dave Henson, the 200m bronze medallist, missed out on a place in the final.
Whitehead’s 15-year-old rival Ntando Mahlangu of South Africa fell spectacularly as he appeared to be cruising through. Mahlangu looked towards Whitehead and stumbled over, missing out on progressing to the final.