Antrim athlete sets Paralympics record

Michael McKillop set a new Paralympic world record of 2.02.13 in the final of the T37 800 meters to win his first gold and second medal of the World Championships.

The 16-year-old Co Antrim athlete, ranked third fastest going in to the final behind Mohamed Charmi (Tunisia) and Djamel Mastouri (France), kicked for home with 150 meters to go, winning in impressive style.

Michael, who is a pupil at St. Malachy's School and coached by his father Paddy, displayed maturity beyond his years, keeping composure in a tense and exciting final.

In front of the largest crowd attendance so far, nobody could match McKillop for pace when he made his decisive move for the line and ultimate victory.

McKillop said: "I felt much better today than in the 1500m. I stuck to the plan and when I was coming up the home straight, no one was beside me and I just kept going. It's just unbelievable."

Derek Malone from Clare took to the track today in the semi-final of the T38 400m. Finishing in 5th position in a time of 55.21, Malone just missed out on a place in tomorrow's final and will be very disappointed not to have qualified for the final.

Finishing fifth in the semi final of the T53 200m, Roy Guerin produced a season's best time of 29.36 seconds. The time was not enough to book the Tralee based wheelchair athlete a place in the final.

Field Athletes John McCarthy and Garrett Jameson are competing in the Club F32/51 combined competition. The competition is running late with the John and Garrett lying third and fourth respectively.