26 July 2015

There was double joy for Great Britain as Georgina Hermitage (coach: Paul Macgregor) and Sophie Hahn (Joe McDonnell) both broke their own world records in their respective events on day three (Sunday 26 July) of the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games at the former Olympic Stadium.

Just five weeks after breaking the 15-year-old 400m T37 world record, Hermitage was at it again. The 26-year-old never looked in doubt as she powered round the track well clear of the rest of the field, finishing in 1:02.48 – knocking 0.22 off her previous world record mark.

“I thought I had over done it in the first 200m, I think I nearly got a PB over 200m. So I came off the gas a bit round the bend, I saw the clock ticking down and thought I had over cooked it but I’m happy.

“I felt really tired in that last 100m and the crowd just carried me through. I know it sounds clichéd but it definitely does help,” said Hermitage, whose compatriot Bethy Woodward finished fourth (1:09.49).

Not to be out done, Hahn was next out on the track in the women’s 100m T38 – and knocked a phenomenal 0.04 seconds off her own world record mark as she stormed home in 13.00.

The 18-year-old enjoyed a terrific start out of the blocks and her early lead proved too much for Russia’s Margarita Goncharova, who chased hard to the line to finish second in 13.07, while birthday girl Olivia Breen (Jonas Tawiah-Dodoo) was third in 13.42.

“It was absolutely amazing – the crowd and the track were incredible – it was just such a shock, I’m just so happy. I’m back into training now as I look ahead to the World Championships in October. I’m really excited for that now.”

Paralympic and world champion Jonnie Peacock (Steve Fudge) had to make do with second place behind the USA’s Paralympic and world silver medallist Richard Browne who sprinted home to win the men’s 100m T44.

Back on the same track where he set the world record at the Anniversary Games two years ago, Browne went in to the race in superb form, having set a new world lead of 10.72 earlier in the week.

Crossing the line in 10.96, with Peacock second in 11.02, Browne punched the air in delight.

“It was most important to get the win and I wanted to prove it again today, especially taking on Jonnie. This will be the last time I see him before Doha so I need to go from here and work on my starts to be ready for the World Championships.”

Peacock remained upbeat despite his defeat:

“I am actually a little bit happy, obviously frustrated but for me it was really clear what I did wrong, it was the first and last bits of the race. I just spoke to my coach and my transition was fine, I came up strong and would have had a lot more top speed if I had just chilled out a little bit. I’ve got to move on to the next race and now and just take my lessons from this and move on.

“It was my first Paralympic race today so I was a bit nervous and wasn’t sure what to expect from everybody. I’m happy I’ve shown something today and I know there’s a hell of a lot more there.”

Switzerland’s world champion Marcel Hug controlled the race from the gun in the men’s 1,500m T54 as he went on to clock a new stadium record of 3:04.15 to take the win with Great Britain’s David Weir (Jenny Archer) finishing fifth in 3:04.80.

“It wasn’t a great performance but I’ve been hampered with illness and pulled out of a meeting in Switzerland recently with a shoulder injury but I’m not trying to make excuses, the guys were great today,” said Weir.

“I thought I’d be up there because the training has gone well this week but it gives me an indication of what I need to work on over the next couple of weeks.”

Richard Whitehead (Keith Antoine) got the crowds roaring again as he came through in the final 50m to take victory in the men’s 200m T42 (25.79). There was added joy for fellow Briton David Henson (Roger Keller) who took silver (26.53).

Another win went Great Britain’s way as Hannah Cockroft (Jenni Banks) secured victory in the 400m T34. Cockroft clocked 1:03.67 having never looked in doubt as she powered to the line. Rising star Kare Adenegan (Job King) was two seconds behind the double Paralympic, world and European champion.

There was a convincing win too for Great Britain’s Libby Clegg (Joe McDonnell) who took gold in the 200m T12 (25.22) well clear of her two Chinese sprint rivals Cuiqing Liu and Guohua Zhou.

The Netherlands’ world and European champion Marlou van Rhijn maintained her winning ways as she finished strongly to win the 100m T44 in 13.04, a new stadium record. Great Britain’s Sophie Kamlish (Rob Ellchuk) was second (13.66) with Laura Sugar (Femi Akinsanya) third (13.74).

In the men’s 100m T47 Poland’s Michal Derus sprinted hard to the line to clinch victory. The world champion clocked 10.78 to take the win ahead of Great Britain’s James Arnott (Ryan Freckleton) (11.36).

Jade Jones (Ian Thompson/Tanni Grey-Thompson) was the first of the three Britons over the line in the women’s 1,500m T54. The race was won by Switerland’s Manuela Schaer, who pulled ahead to establish a commanding lead with two laps to go.

Jones clocked 3:45.30 to finish ahead of Shelly Woods (Jenny Archer) (3:45.64) with Samantha Kinghorn (Ian Mirfin) fifth in 3:45.73.

In the men’ 400m T20 it was Poland’s Daniel Pek who took the gold (51.61) with Paul Davidson (Charles Forbes) finishing in fourth place in 51.84.

South Africa’s Charl du Toit took gold in the 100m T37 (11.69) ahead of his compatriot Fanie van der Merwe (11.77), with Rhys Jones (Antoine) fifth (11.96). The 100m T53 went to form as Canada’s Brent Lakatos, the 100m T53 world champion and world record holder, took the tape in 15.07.

South Africa’s Jonathan Ntutu was the fastest home in the two heats for the 200m T11/12, clocking 22.57 as he dipped over the line ahead of Russia’s Paralympic champion Fedor Trikolich (22.60).

Out in the field, Great Britain’s Jo Butterfield extended her European record to win the club throw F32/51. The European champion threw 21.50m – a new stadium record – in the third round to seal the win with the USA’s world record holder Rachael Morrison second with a best of 16.45m. Abbie Hunnisett (Camilla Thrush) broke the British F32 record with 21.01m, with teammate Gemma Prescott (Mike Wood) finishing fifth.

Italy’s world champion Martina Caironi continued her winning form in the long jump F42/44, having equalled the world record mark of 4.60m earlier in the year. A second round leap of 4.33m (994 points) was enough for gold.

Germany’s World, Paralympic and European champion Markus Rehm also maintained his winning ways, sealing long jump T42/44 victory in London with a final round leap of 7.83m. (1107 points).

There was an American one-two in the discus F42/44 as David Blair took the win with 56.70m in the second round. World and Paralympic champion Jeremy Campbell had to make do with second place (56.38m).

For full results from the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games IPC Grand Prix Final click here.