LONDON 2012 – Paralympics – New world record for Smyth

Jason Smyth stole the show at the Olympic Stadium to bring an end to the opening day of Athletics action at London 2012.

Smyth re-enforced his position as the fastest Paralympian in the world as he set a world record of 10.54 in the 100m – T13 to storm into the final.

The 25-year-old reigning champion, who trains with USA sprint star Tyson Gay in Florida over the winter, said: 'I know I'm in good shape. I've run 10.20 this year and I was hoping to come out in the heat, get out of the blocks and just chill down the end.

'If I don't come out and run quicker tomorrow I'd be extremely disappointed.'

Meanwhile, Russia won three gold medals and China two.

China's Wu Qing won gold in the women's Discus Throw – F35/36, while Liu Ping claimed the women's 200m – T35 title in 32.72.

There was cause for triple celebration for Russia, with Alexey Ashapatov winning gold in the Discus – F57/58 and Roman Kapranov doing the same in the 200m – T37.

Ashapatov threw a world record 60.72m for 1043 points to finish ahead of Czech Rostislav Pohlmann and Egyptian Metawa Abouelkhir.

Kapranov equalled the world record of 23.10 to take gold ahead of China's Shang Guangxu, with Venezuelan Omar Monterola third.

The third Russian gold went to Long Jump champion Margarita Goncharova. She triumphed in the F37/38 competition with a leap of 4.84m (1009).

Ukraine's Inna Stryzhak was second with 4.79m (1004) and China's Cao Yuanhang third with 4.40m (993).

Hannah Cockroft won Great Britain's first Athletics gold, setting a new Paralympic record in the process, as she roared to victory in the 100m – T34.

She had the race won by halfway as she crossed the line in 18.06, almost one-and-a-half seconds clear of her closest rival, the Netherlands' Amy Siemons. Australia's Rosemary Little was third.

There was a world record in the men's Club Throw – F31/32/51 where 42-year-old Zeljko Dimitrijevic claimed the title.

The Serbian, an F51 athlete, set the mark of 26.88m with his very first throw of the competition, picking up 1010 points, and he could even afford to pass his final three attempts as no one challenged his supremacy.

Denmark's Jackie Christiansen won gold in the Shot Put – F42/44, and there was a German one-two in the Long Jump – F42/44 with Markus Rehm taking gold with a world record 7.35m (1093 points).

Wojtek Czyz took silver and Denmark's Daniel Jorgensen bronze.

Latvia's Aigars Apinis took gold in the men's Shot Put – F52/53, and in the women's Discus Throw – F40, Moroccan Najat El Garraa won gold.

 

LONDON 2012