13 September 2008

Ian Jones, grabbed a brilliant Bronze medal in the T44 200m final on his Paralympic debut, in front of a full house of 91,000 people on Saturday night.

Chasing the flying South African Oscar Pistorius who added the T44 200m to his 100m title, Jones ran 23.00, slicing a massive 0.67s from the personal best he set in the morning’s heats.

“It’s phenomenal. It’s beyond my wildest dreams,” said the overjoyed 18-year-old Manchester student. “My PB before this morning was 23.85 and I smashed it twice.

“I’ve just had a fantastic day. I was just hoping to make the final and didn’t imagine I could get a medal. Words can’t describe how I feel.”

Pistorius set a Paralympic record to win in 21.67, a PB for the Blade Runner by 0.1s, and Jones immediately ran over to congratulate the double sprint champion.

“If Oscar carries on going faster I know he’ll push me to go faster,” said Jones. “It’ll takes me a few more gym sessions to get close to him but I hope I can.”

Jones runs in his strongest event, the 400m on Tuesday 16 September.

Sophie Hancock was fifth in the F40 discus with a season’s best of 21.53m. The former swimmer was delighted to improve from sixth place at the 2006 world championships at her first Paralympic Games.

“It went really well for my first Games,” she said. “I was pleased with my performance as I was only 1cm off my PB.”

China’s 17-year-old thrower Menggen Jimisu won gold with a world record 28.04m. “It was spectacular to see a world record in my event and a pretty amazing atmosphere,” said Hancock.

Shot putter Martin Crutchley was less happy. The Staffordshire thrower finished fifth in the F37/38 final with 12.72m, a metre down on his PB.

“Although it was a great experience, I totally underperformed,” said Crutchley. “I’m very disappointed but it just makes me more determined for the next championships.”

Shelly Woods qualified from a trouble-free T54 800m semi-final and will go for her second medal in the final tomorrow. Woods was third fastest tonight in 1:55.52.

News on Dave Weir’s 800m Final to follow.