Arnu Fourie RSA and Jonnie Peacock GBR race during the Men’s 100m – T44 Heat 1 at the Olympic Stadium. The Paralympic Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday 8th September 2016. Photo: Simon Bruty for OIS.
Reigning champion Jonnie Peacock was among the athletes to impress in Rio on Thursday as he won his 100m T44 heat in a new Paralympic Games record of 10.81.
Peacock laid down an early marker at the start of the evening session by cruising through the first heat, eventually qualifying as the fastest qualifier for Friday’s final.
The 23-year-old said:
“I’m reasonably happy with the 10.81, it’s my second fastest time of the year so can’t ask for much more than that.
“It felt relatively easy – I know I’m in great form coming here and that’s what this whole year is about. I hope to go a lot faster than that in the final.
Georgina Hermitage equalled her own world record as she safely made it through her heat in the T37 100m.
The European champion over 100m, 200m and 400m ran a time of 13.39 seconds to equal the world record she set in Loughborough in May and was 0.3 seconds ahead of the next fastest qualifier ahead of Friday’s final.
Hermitage said:
“I am really happy that put the nerves to rest. It’s been a difficult few months and to equal that (world record) is brilliant.
“After the Euros I had to take a month off so to come out and do that today is such a relief.
Sophie Hahn GBR races during the Women’s 100m T38 Heat 2 at the Olympic Stadium. Hahn broke the Paralympic record completing the 100m in 12.62 seconds. The Paralympic Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Thursday 8th September 2016. Photo: Simon Bruty for OIS.
Reigning world champion Sophie Hahn also broke the Paralympic record in the T38 100m running 12.62 with compatriot Kadeena Cox following her home to finish second in the same heat. Olivia Breen qualified as a fastest loser after a fourth-placed finish in 13.35 seconds.
Three-time European champion Samantha Kinghorn came fifth in the women’s 100m T53 final in 17.13 seconds which was won by China’s Lisha Huang.
Kinghorn said:
“I’m so pleased with all the support I’ve had and I couldn’t do it without them.
“I’ve only been doing the sport for three and a half years so hopefully one day I’ll have the gold medal around my neck.”
In the field, Kyron Duke finished fifth in the shot put F41 with a best throw of 11.41m.
Paralympic debutant Polly Maton came seventh in the T47 long jump final as the 16-year-old from Devizes recorded a jump of 5.10m with her opening effort.
