Regan takes ninth at worlds in Doha

Ireland’s Lorraine Regan finished ninth in the F56 javelin event at the Paralympic Athletics World Championships in Doha yesterday.

Offaly athelte Regan was making her world championships debut and her best throw on the night of 14.47m was someway short of her best achieved earlier this season. Unfortunately her other two attempts were ruled as foul throws.

Speaking after the final national coach Dave Sweeney said: “It was a disappointing yet encouraging competition for Lorraine. Her result was well below par for her but yet her throwing distances were better than ever. She threw well over 17.50m (almost half a metre beyond her lifetime best) but the officials ruled she had lost contact with her throwing seat during the action deeming it a foul. She can be confident of being able to correct this error and pushing on to contend for the medals in Rio. There will be a lot of work to do over the coming 10 months but I have no doubt Lorraine will rise to this challenge.”

Regan was the last of the six Irish field athletes in action this week. In what has been an incredibly successful Championships the throwers alone have won four medals, set one new world record, three personal bests and a seasons best. This on top of two gold medals and two seasons bests from perennial champions on the track; Smyth and McKillop.

On the penultimate day of competition today the remaining Irish track athletes will be in action as McKillop will look to defend his T37 1500m world title in the final at 2.25pm. Three time Paralympian John McCarthy will also race in the heats of his second event; the T51 400m hoping to advance to Saturday’s final.