A British team of six headed to Italy this weekend to represent the para juniors on the international stage at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Jesolo. All the athletes were competed for GB & NI for the very first time.

Maddie Down (coach: Dominic McNeillis, club: Halesowen) impressed in the women’s T38 long jump where she added close to 40cm to her personal best with a legal mark of 4.58m (1.3) and a wind-assisted mark of 4.60m (3.2). Earlier in the programme she competed in the 100m, setting a season best of 13.74 (-1.6).

In the T44 100m, Bebe Jackson (Michelle Dawson, Harlow) was first in a time of 14.63 (-1.1), while in the 200m she was second in the race with a time of 30.38 (-0.6).

Back on the track in the wheelchair 100m races, Northern Ireland’s Andrew Greer (Torque Racing) secured a season best of 16.96 (-1.2), while over the one-lap distance he similarly set the fastest time of his season with 61.37.

Meanwhile in the T20 400m, Travis Anderson (Durham) enjoyed a great performance as he clocked a personal best of 54.79 for third overall in his race.

Out in the field, there were more impressive displays from the British representatives.

Amy Thompson (Robert Halliwell, Wigan & District) won the women’s F41 discus with a throw of 21.00, while she was fifth in the shot put after a mark of 6.55m was the furthest in her series.

Meanwhile, Welshman Zachary Tandy (Nathan Stephens, DSW Para Academy) was third in the F44 discus after throwing 43.03m which came on his sixth and final throw.

Results

Photo credit: Marco Mantovani/Massimo Bertolini/FISPES