News
Four Medals in Four Days for Welsh Para Athletes in Dubai
11/11/2019 00:00, In
It has only been four days since the Word Para Championships began. Four welsh athletes have competed so far since last Thursday and all will be coming back with a medal
Aled Davies (Ryan Spencer-Jones) has successfully battled his way to his fourth gold medal in the F63 Shot Put throwing 15.32m. This means he is the third athlete to enter the exclusive club of Para athletes with 4 consecutive World titles. Aled said:
“Surreal – this was the toughest one yet. Fourth time – it’s very special – I think back to my first world champs in New Zealand in 2011 and I got 4th place at the age of 18, and now here we are, almost ten years later and we’re still on top of the world taking world records and winning gold medals. I’ve been dreaming too hard and too long to roll over and hand over titles. I had to fight for this one – I really did I dug deep and luckily I hung on by the skin of my teeth.”
Commonwealth Record holder Olivia Breen (Aston Moore) kicked off the competition for the Welsh athletes by winning bronze medal in a high quality T38 Long Jump competition. She jumped just short of her personal best with 4.93m to take third continuing her consistent season. She said,
I’m really happy; after such a long season, it was great to have a such a good competition. I just gave it my all. The wind was very frustrating but I did the best I could in those conditions. There is nothing we could do so I just went for it. I couldn’t believe how consistent my series was. I don’t often have that. But my training has been going so well, so I’m really pleased with how I performed.”
Olivia also competes in the T38 100m tomorrow afternoon at 16:29.
Kyron Duke (Antony Hughes) took the bronze medal in the men’s F41 Shot Put final with a throw of 13.82m. Speaking about his performance he said,
“I’m happy but I really wanted that gold. There are mixed emotions but I’ll keep my head high. I’ve done my team proud and done my country proud. It was a good competition. I was trying to adjust to the circle. I knew the throw was good on the second throw and it helped me to settle. I’m happy to be among the medals, that’s a good thing. It means I’m still there fighting, I’m still top three in the world and keep hold of the world record.”
Harri Jenkins (Antony Hughes) had a tough race in the men’s T33 100m but he is bringing home a bronze medal. He said,
“It was really good. Obviously happy with the bronze. As I said before it was going on form – I was going in third ranked in the race but I just know I’m capable of so much more. I know I can do this I know I can get there, I should be pushing with them guys, they shouldn’t be beating me like that but I’ll get there next year.”
We still have three more athletes contending for medals at the World Para Athletics Championships including former champion Hollie Arnold (David Turner) later this afternoon at 2pm (UK time).
You can follow all the action on the Channel 4 website