ADENEGAN AND WHITEHEAD CHOSEN AS TEAM CAPTAINS FOR WORLD PARA ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Four-time world champion Richard Whitehead (coach: Keith Antoine; club: Southwell) and T34 100m world record holder Kare Adenegan (Job King; Coventry) have been named as captains of the British team for the World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai from November 7-15.

The duo, who won respective T42 200m gold and T34 100m silver, 400m & 800m bronze in London, received the most votes from their fellow teammates to lead the 41-strong squad.

At the age of 18, Adenegan is the youngest captain of the British team at the world championships and will be looking to build upon her fine displays in 2018 when she was crowned European 100m champion as well as taking 800m silver.

After being announced as team captain, Kare Adenegan said: “I feel really honoured to be named team captain alongside Richard Whitehead. Although I’m still one of the youngest athletes on the team, I have learnt a lot throughout my athletics career so far and hope to pass that on, especially to the debutants.

“We have a really strong team and I’m so excited to cheer everybody on during the championships.”

Whitehead, who is going for an unprecedented fifth consecutive world title in the T61 200m, takes the honour for the second time having been named as captain for the 2013 edition of the championships in Lyon.

On being voted as team captain, Richard Whitehead said: “It’s a great honour as always to represent Great Britain & Northern Ireland and to be voted by my fellow athletes to be captain is a privilege I don’t take lightly.

“It’s mine and Kare’s job now lead the team towards getting the best possible results we can. As always we have the support staff and structure to perform at the highest level.”

Head Coach, Paula Dunn added: “It’s fantastic that both Richard and Kare will lead the team at the World Para Athletics Championships here in Dubai.

“Richard has accumulated a vast amount experience during his career. He’s always been incredibly welcoming of the new members of the team, so it will be great to have him as one of the two captains for the Championships, adding a huge amount of experience serving alongside Kare.

“As for Kare, it’s a reflection of her maturity and professionalism as an athlete and as a person that she has been voted for by her peers. I look forward to both of them excelling in the role as captains.”