25th May 2019

WPA GP NOTTWIL: DAY TWO

Day two in Nottwil saw windy and wet conditions hit the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, but there were several standout moments from the session including four British victories.

 

Over the 1500m distance, Isaac Towers (coach: Peter Wyman; club: Kirkby AC) won the T34 men’s race 3:22.51, narrowly beating Canadian Austin Smeenk by a second. Jamie Edwards (Archer) set a personal best in the race as he crossed the line in fourth. His time of 3:46.64 was a significant improvement for the Weir Archer Academy athlete.

Edwards had earlier raced over 100m, clocking 17.31 (-0.5) while Joe Brazier (Richard Chiassaro; Harlow) was the first Brit in the T34 standings, his time 17.04. Matthew Cooper (both: Archer, Weir Archer Academy) posted a time of 17.87.

 

There was a third victory of the meeting for Hannah Cockroft (Banks, Leeds City) as the Paralympic and world champion set a time of 18.32 (-1.3) in windy conditions.

 

Paralympic, world and European medallist Andrew Small (Rick Hoskins; Stockport) won the T33 100m in 18.28 (+0.1), ahead of 2018 European champion Harri Jenkins (Anthony Hughes; DSW Para Academy) who was next in 18.87. Fellow Brit James Freeman (Archer, Weir Archer Academy) was fourth in 17.87.

 

In the women’s equivalent sprint, Olivia Gallagher (Archer, Weir Archer Academy) was the first of a trio of Brits home in 24.51 (-0.8) for third, with Yasmin Somers (Job King; Harlow) next in 26.79 and Emma Alexander (Richard Chiassaro; Harlow) fifth in 36.36.

 

2017 world silver medallist Mickey Bushell (Rick Hoskins; Birchfield) was sixth in the T53 100m in 15.77 (-0.6) in a series won overall by Brent Lakatos (CAN) with a best of 15.13. Mo Jomni (Archer, Weir Archer Academy) placed 11th in the standings after a push of 16.28.

 

After a 200m PB on day one, Nathan Maguire (Ste Hoskins; Kirkby AC) came close to another best in the T54 1500m, just 0.36 seconds shy of his previous quickest time, placing 14th overall in 3:07.08.

Dillon Labrooy (Jenny Archer; Weir Archer Academy) was also in 1500m action, recording a time of 3:11.56 for 22nd overall. Chinese athlete Yong Zhang backed up his 800m victory as the quickest man in the 1500m field with a best of 2:57.45.

Maguire has earlier placed sixth over 100m, 15.09 (-0.8) while Richard Chiassaro (Jenni Banks; Harlow) was eighth in the standings recording a time of 15.14. Finn Leo-Pekka Tahti was the fastest overall in 14.18.

 

In the men’s T52 event, Nicholas Smith (Paul Moseley; Leeds City) was ninth in 20.00 (-0.5) while in the T51 contest Bulbul Hussain (Victoria Park & Tower Hamlets) was close to his best with 22.99 for fourth.

 

Elsewhere, Lizzie Williams (Worthy) recorded 21.16 (-1.5) over the 100m, while Grace Greenwood (Jersey) returned to the track following her 200m PB to post 19.16 (-1.1) in the T35 100m.

 

In the field, Jonathan Adams (Ipswich) was the sole competitor in the F35 shot put and was just 6cm away from his season best set at the Suffolk County Championships last week – 12.44m the best of his series in Nottwil.

 

Full results from day two.