20 October 2015

Brits to watch out for:

David Weir – T54 1500m and 5000m

The ‘Weir Wolf’ will be aiming for his seventh world title in Doha to add further decoration to his impressive collection. Many will remember Weir’s quadruple gold medal success at the Paralympic Games in 2012 and he has a chance to become a world champion once again in Qatar as he takes on his Swiss rival Marcel Hug in the T54 1500m and 5000m

Hannah Cockroft – T34 100m, 400m, 800m

‘Hurricane’ Hannah Cockroft will be looking for triple success this month at the IPC World Championships. After losing her unbeaten run last month to compatriot Kare Adenegan, the Yorkshire woman is more determined than ever to take the gold. The four-time world champion will compete in the T34 100m, 400m and 800m as she seeks another golden moment on the track.

Richard Whitehead – T42 100m

At 39 years old, Whitehead keeps getting quicker and set an unofficial world record in the T42 200m last month of 24.26. The two-time world champion will be seeking the hat-trick of titles at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium in the 200m and will be hoping to celebrate with his customary two-gun salute on the 28^th October.

Maria Lyle – T35 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay

At 15 years old, Maria Lyle is already a double IPC European champion and a world medal is certainly within reach for the Scot. With a big future ahead of her, these Championships are another stepping stone for Lyle as she goes in the T35 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay.

Georgina Hermitage – T37 100m, 400m and 4x100m relay

Georgie Hermitage was thrown into the public eye after the Anniversary Games in London in July. As well as taking the win, she also improved her own T37 400m world record to 62.48 inside the Stadium at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. After been inspired by London 2012 and giving birth to her daughter, Hermitage started training again and has enjoyed a rapid rise in the sport. She now sits on the cusp of world glory as she competes in the T37 100m and 400m before wrapping up her championships in the 4x100m relay.

Aled Davies – F42 Shot Put and Discus

The Welshman will be looking to retain his discus and shot put titles in Doha, two years since his double triumph in Lyon. The Paralympic champion has returned from injury earlier this year and is determined to win gold for a second time. As the world record holder in both F42 events, he will be the stand out contender in his class as he seeks another accolade to add to his ever-growing collection.

Sophie Hahn – T38 100m, 200, and 4x100m relay

Hahn may only be 19 years old but she has a wealth of experience heading into her second World Championships. After winning double gold in Lyon, the Loughborough-based athlete heads into the Doha in confident mood. She broke the T38 100m world record at the Anniversary Games in July, beating her Russian rival Margarita Goncharova in the process. She clocked an impressive time of 13.00 in London and will be one to watch in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay this week.

International ones to watch

Richard Browne (USA) – T44 100m

The American will provide one of the highlights of the IPC Athletics World Championship in the T44 100m. Browne, the former world record holder, has enjoyed a dominant spell since losing to Britain’s Jonnie Peacock at the World Championships in 2013. With the Brit missing these Championships through injury, Browne will be looking to add the first world title to his collection.

Marlou van Rhijn (NED) – T43/44 100m and 200m

The ‘Blade babe’ will be seeking more world championship success in Doha to add to her two titles from Lyon. The Dutch athlete will face strong opposition from South Africa’s Irmgard Bensusan, France’s Marie-Amelie Le-Fur and Britain’s Laura Sugar. The double Paralympic champion already has an impressive CV and will be looking to improve it even more during these Championships.

Markus Rehm (GER) – T44 Long jump

The long jumper has wowed the crowds in recent years and has jumped a best of 8.29m to leave him as a standout contender in the hunt for gold in the Middle East. The German is a double world champion, claiming the titles in 2011 and 2013 so the hat trick of titles is on.