Olivia Breen delivered the performance of her life to take gold on day four at the London 2017 World Para Athletics Championships, the highlight of another great day for the Loughborough athletes.
Breen was in action in women’s T38 long jump final, starting well and leaping to a personal best of 4.72m in the third round to take the lead from Australia’s Erin Cleaver. In the fourth round Breen went even further, soaring out to 4.81m to increase her lead and wrap up her maiden World Championship gold.
Of her incredible performance Breen said: “It was a tough competition, we all were very close but I know I am in good form, so it is fantastic. I have been jumping really well this year and it really has been my best season ever. I knew what I needed to do, and I’ve put all the hard work in so I was just telling myself to get the job done. I knew I had it in me to win gold; I always give 100% so I am over the moon to do it. It has all come together at the right time – I’m probably not going to sleep tonight!”
The rising star went through some difficult changes after the Rio Paralympics last year as she changed coach, with a move to train at Loughborough University under the watchful eye of Aston Moore and alongside fellow World Champion Stef Reid.
Of the thousands of school children in the crowd on the day, Olivia added: “The school kids in the crowd – that is a very good thing, [they] helped me a lot. My first Games in here, I was just 16 so it is very important to inspire the new generation. It means so much to me to win in front of my home crowd. It is big motivation. Now I want to jump five metres at the Commonwealth Games and then in Tokyo.”
Breen will now rest up before the 100m on Saturday, the event in which she won her only previous international gold at the 2016 European Championships.
Later on in the evening Richard Whitehead was back in action, with he and fellow Loughborough athlete Laura Sugar ensuring they advanced to their respective 100m finals during the morning session.
Whitehead lined up in the T42 100m final with an expectant home crowd roaring as he was introduced. The 200m champion didn’t get the best start but his pick-up was phenomenal as always, and he came storming through over the final metres to bag bronze.
The two time Paralympic champion was disappointed with his 12.39 run, afterwards saying:
“It’s great to have another opportunity to race in front of the home crowd; I enjoy competing and I enjoy putting on the GB vest, but sometimes it just doesn’t happen. Unfortunately you have to accept the ups and downs in life, and I was beaten by two better guys today. I feel like my season began really well; I’d enjoyed running 12.17 in Switzerland and I came in here with a great platform, but I just wasn’t able to execute on it. At one point that bronze medal could have slipped through, but I wanted to stand on that podium once again for my family who are at home watching, as well as myself; I’ve put a lot of hard work in for this.”
Finally it was Laura Sugar’s turn in the T44 100m final, and after getting a great start she ran a strong race to finish fifth in 13.49, with Britain’s Sophie Kamlish securing gold. Post-race Sugar said:
“I thought I raced well, but I’m a bit disappointed now I’ve seen the time. I was next to Irmgard Bensusan who’s an incredible starter; I know her and Sophie are always out of the blocks first, so I knew that being next to her I could try and stay with her. I couldn’t quite pull away as I didn’t have it in the legs. I thought I executed well but it just wasn’t quick enough; all’s not lost though, I’ve got the 200m next and I feel really strong in that event.”
Report courtesy of Loughborough University
