25 November 2013

Paralympic and world T44 100m champion Jonnie Peacock (coach: Steve Fudge) is set to face world record holder Richard Browne over 60m at the Glasgow British Athletics International Match on Saturday 25 January.

Peacock edged the American into second place at the last two major championships and believes that irrespective of time, he can continue his recent dominance on the international stage and start his 2014 season with a crucial match win.

“2013 has been an interesting year for me. With the emergence of Richard Browne, there was a lot of hype in the build-up the IPC World Championships, so to go out there and take the gold medal shows that I’m capable of producing my best on the big stage when it matters.

“Make no mistake, I will still be the one everyone is looking to beat, but I’m working hard to ensure that I remain on top. The Glasgow British Athletics International Match will give me that early test to get a gauge of where I am in terms of my training, and I’m looking forward to it,” said Peacock.

Browne meanwhile broke the world record in the semi-finals at the IPC World Championships in July, but could only finish second behind Peacock in the final. Despite recording his first career victory over Peacock at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games with a further world record (10.75), the American still believes Peacock is the one to beat in 2014. 

“I’ve only beaten Jonnie once so I would say he has the upper hand. He is the most technical runner in the paras – it’s almost perfect technique. I’ve been working hard to get stronger and more technically sound, because that is the only way I can beat Jonnie. Glasgow will be just a preview to outdoor 2014 season,” said Browne, who boasts a 60m personal best of 6.99.

The 22 year old is delighted to be running at the Emirates Arena, and believes that the UK is really leading the way in terms of integrating disability sports into events. 

“To have inclusion at the Glasgow British Athletics International Match is amazing. The sport has come such a long way in terms of the faster and competitive events that we as a sport can now provide. The emergence of Jonnie, myself and Alan (Oliveira) has shown the world that amputees can run times comparable to able body sprinters even in the shorter distances, which silences the critics who say blades give us an advantage. Now even more events will take notice that para-track is a legitimate sport and even a money-maker.

“I love the UK; it’s one of the few places where "Paras" are accepted as athletes more than side shows at an event. They show so much support and the rest of the world should follow their example.”

Rivalries aside, Browne has set himself a number of targets for the new year and firmly believes that he can be the one that takes blade running to a whole new level.

“I’m expecting big things for 2014 – I want to make the jump to able bodied competitions. I know my times have to drop, but I plan on making the US Indoor Track and Field Nationals and running the world "A" standard of a 6.65.

“To follow up, outdoors I want to run 10.35 and qualify for US Outdoor Nationals. I’m a lot stronger this year than last year and have a new coach; with the recent changes and a little bit more experience under my belt, it will be a promising year. With 2014 being an "off" year with no major championships, I feel like I can make a splash in the world of sprinting and advance Para-Track to a whole other level, even beyond what Oscar Pistorius accomplished.”

Browne and Peacock will join European Indoor 60m silver medallist James Dasaolu (Fudge), 2003 world 100m champion Kim Collins, world 4x400m relay bronze medallist Eilidh Child (Malcolm Arnold) and European U23 1500m bronze medallist Laura Muir (Andy Young) at the Glasgow British Athletics International Match.

Tickets for the 2014 British Athletics Series still on sale www.britishathletics.org.uk