Terrific 20 medals won by British team at World Para Athletics Junior Champs

The British team ended the inaugural World Para Athletics Junior Championships in wonderful style, adding three further medals to the table, taking the final tally to a sensational 20 medals overall.

It was a second gold of the championships for Jack Agnew (Heather Ardis) in the T52/54 1500m U20, adding to his 800m title from Saturday. The time of 3:35.21 was some way down on his personal best but the Lagan Valley athlete won’t mind as he secured a second trip to the top of the rostrum.

He later returned for the T52/54 100m U20 and ended the competition in fourth place with a time of 15.90 (+0.1) after raza points calculations. In the women’s U18 equivalent, Eden Rainbow-Cooper (Jenny Archer) achieved the same result, taking fourth in 18.44.

It was gold number three for Craig Boardman (Paul Smith) after a fantastic push in the T33-34 400m, adding to his shorter sprint titles. 54.11 was the time for the Portsmouth athlete, knocking 0.10 seconds off his previous best set earlier this year in Dubai.

Luke Nuttall (Vince Wilson / Alison Wyeth) finally got his chance to take to the track at these championships in his two-man T45/47 1500m final. The rapidly improving Charnwood athlete crossed the line in 4:21.92 for second place. Due to only having two people in the final, only a gold medal was awarded to the champion Esteban Mauricio Orrego Campos from Chile.

There was a brilliant bronze for Ethan Kirby (Mike Swift) in the T20 400m U18, wrapping up a successful four days in Nottwil. A significant personal best of 53.62 was the reward for the display for the Newton Abbott athlete.

Para Athletics Head Coach, Paula Dunn commented:

“It has been a magnificent four days here in Switzerland for our juniors, and I’m so pleased they have gained this experience to compete on a world stage within this environment. To win 21 medals is exceptional and I am very pleased how professionally they have conducted themselves through a championship.

“At the senior world championships last month, we saw a number of athletes step up on the big stage. It is brilliant for the future that we have young para athletes who have carried on that trend by setting so many personal bests and placing highly in finals – it is really encouraging.”

Team Leader Job King added:

“I’m very proud of this team and what they have achieved this week. For many this is their first international competition and they have embraced the challenge so well done to them all. I would like to give a special thanks to the great team out here who have supported the young squad so well over the last week.”