Athletics Australia – News – Australia sets up for gold

World record holder Evan O’Hanlon is on fire heading into tomorrow night’s T38 100m final after blitzing the field in his heat at the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships in Christchurch (NZL).

O’Hanlon broke early from the pack to finish in 11.21 (wind: 0.0), setting a new Championship record and finishing 0.77 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor Mykyta Senyk (UKR).

The 22-year-old is the world’s fastest athlete with cerebral palsy and the first ever to run 100m in under 11 seconds, with his international resume including the T38 100m and 200m world records. 

“I’m feeling pretty good for tomorrow’s final. Today I eased up so it’s always nice to run a championship record or something like that when you’re easing up over the line,” O’Hanlon said.

The AIS scholarship holder boldly predicted a five gold medal haul for himself leading into the Championships but has readjusted his focus after finishing fourth in the T37/38 long jump yesterday.

“Four is definitely the goal now, but we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Simon Patmore was the fastest qualifier for the T46 200m, crossing the line in 22.52 (wind: +0.3). Competing in his first World Championships, Patmore is eager to show his competitors he is here to win.

“I want it, I want it badly, I want to be number one,” Patmore said.

“Coming off the bend, I just held it and no one caught up to me. I heard ‘pitter-patters’ behind me but I just stayed relaxed and it got me through the race.”

Rounding out the morning session for Australia, 17-year-old Madison De Rozario finished sixth in the women’s T53 100m wheelchair dash, stopping the clock in 18.09 whilst fellow wheelchair racer Jemima Moore finished eighth in the T54 100m.

In international results, South African Oscar Pistorius impressed in his first track hit out, qualifying fastest for tomorrow’s T44 200m final. Posting a 22.52 (wind: -0.7), he ran faster than his American rival Jerome Singleton (23.38, w: -1.4) to set up a thrilling final.

This afternoon, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Louise Ellery will look to extend her world record in the F32 shot put, while training partners Kelly Cartwright and Michelle Errichiello will go head to head in the F42 long jump.

Posting the second fastest qualifying time, Carlee Beattie is a gold medal chance in the T46 200m, while Richard Colman will begin his World Championship campaign in the T53 800m final.

For behind the scenes action from Christchurch, visit the Australian Paralympic Committee YouTube Channel.

Catch all the Australian action from Christchurch on ABC2:

Sunday 23 Jan from 7pm
Saturday 29 Jan from 7pm
Sunday 30 Jan from 7pm

With thanks to the Australian Paralympic Committee

 

Athletics Australia – News