29 October 2015

Several Brits were involved in semi-final action on day eight of the IPC Athletics World Championships.

Maria Lyle (coach: Tabo Huntley) manoeuvred her way into the T35 100m final in style, setting a championship record before that was bettered by Australia’s Isis Holt in the second semi-final. It sets up a thrilling final tonight when the two will meet again after the Scot won silver in the 200m earlier in the Championships.

However, Lyle is focusing on perfecting her start this evening to challenge for the gold medal: “I didn’t get a great start but what I need to do for the final is get a good reaction. If I do that, it should be a good race. After the false start (by the American in the semi-final), I was just telling myself to hold it and make sure you get in.”

Sophie Kamlish (Rob Ellchuk) was the second quickest qualifier overall in the T44 100m, looking very impressive behind Dutch favourite Marlou van Rhijn. The 2013 bronze medallist looked comfortable to progress to this evening’s final in a time of 13.53.

The Bath-based athlete said afterwards: “It really was good today. I got away quite fast and that gave me a lot of confidence. I am really excited for the final later on.”

Team captain Laura Sugar (Femi Akinsanya), who has been hampered by a hamstring tear which she picked up in the holding camp in the build-up to the Championships, was fifth in the first semi-final of the T44 100m but unfortunately did not progress.

Mo Jomni (Jenny Archer) produced a mature display to reach the T53 800m with ease. The 26 year-old went wide on the home straight after the first lap to get into perfect position for the closing lap. The 200m bronze medallist showed his strength to power passed two competitors in the last bend and finish behind Canada’s Brent Lakatos as an automatic qualifier.

He said after his 1:47.25 clocking: “I had to be in the final that was always the point for me. The race was close today, I took it wide on the home straight on the first lap to stay out of danger but I hung in there.”

Jenny McLoughlin (Keith Antoine) advanced to the T37 100m final which will take place at 15:48 (UK time). Her 30.15 clocking assured third place and a place in her second world final of these Championships in Doha.

Kadeena Cox (Brian Scobie), who was due to be competing in the T37 200m this morning was disqualified from competition after the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) adjudged her to have been late to call room.

In the seven days prior to this morning’s action, the call room procedures utilised were different than those stipulated in the Team Leader’s Guide.

Following an unsuccessful appeal, Cox, who won T37 100m gold on Thursday, will unfortunately not be reinstated into the race.

Head Coach Paula Dunn said: “I am absolutely gutted for Kadeena and this is an incredibly difficult situation for the athlete and her support team.

“Whilst we feel this is an unduly harsh decision we will learn from this experience and move on.”

British Athletics’ medal tally at the IPC Athletics World Championships (24): 

Gold (10): Paul Blake (T36 800m),Jo Butterfield (F51 club throw),Hannah Cockroft (T34 100m and 800m), Kadeena Cox (T37 100m),Aled Davies (F42 shot put and discus), Sophie Hahn (T38 100m), Georgie Hermitage (T37 400m), Richard Whitehead (T42 200m)

Silver (7): Paul Blake (T36 400m), Daniel Bramall (T33 100m), Georgie Hermitage (T37 100m),Maria Lyle (T35 200m),Mel Nicholls (T34 800m),David Weir (T54 1500m & Marathon)

Bronze (7): Kare Adenegan (T34 800m), Jo Butterfield (F52 Discus), Kyron Duke (F41 Javelin), Toby Gold (T33 100m), Abbie Hunnisett (F32 club throw), Mo Jomni (T53 200m), Sammi Kinghorn (T53 200m) 

Over two hours of live coverage each day will also be available to watch on More4 and a live stream will be available on the Channel 4 website: http://paralympics.channel4.com/competitions/athletics-world-championships-2015/video/index.html