Smyth storms to breakthrough win in Tullamore

JASON SMYTH yesterday became the first Irish Paralympic athlete to qualify for a major able-bodied championship.

Visually impaired Smyth, who won two sprinting gold medals at the Paralympics in Beijing last year, broke his 100m record with a spectacular 10.42 at the Woodie’s DIY National Junior and U23 Championship in Tullamore.

It is the fourth quickest time for the distance by an Irish sprinter and secures Smyth’s place at next year’s European Athletics Championships in Barcelona.