Apinis goes to new lengths to win discus world title

Latvia’s Aigars Apinis smashed the world record on his way to discus F52 gold on the fourth morning (Sunday 25 October) of competition at the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha, Qatar, as six medals were decided out in the field.

The European champion led the competition from the start then in the third round added a spectacular 38cm on to his world record set two years ago when he took bronze in Lyon, throwing a massive 21.44 metres.

Silver went to Poland’s Robert Jachimowicz (17.33m) and Croatia’s Velimir Sandor took bronze with a personal best of 16.95m.

In a thrilling high jump T12 competition it was Belarus’ European champion Siarhei Burdukou who came out on top. A championship record-equalling clearance of 1.91m was enough to secure gold on countback as his compatriot Ihar Fartunau took silver (1.91m). Bronze went to Russia’s Andrey Shashko (1.79m).

“Finally I won the gold medal it’s a dream come true, I won the bronze in Lyon 2013 in triple jump and since that I have been aiming for the gold, I have succeeded here and I have achieved my dream,” said Burdukou.

China continued their quest to top the medals table as Liwan Yang secured gold in the women’s shot put F54 with a championship record 7.64m in her fourth attempt. Russia’s early leader, the defending champion Maria Bogacheva, had to settle for silver with a season’s best 7.56m. Bronze went to Brazil’s Elizabeth Gomes (6.53m).

Germany, traditionally a powerhouse out in the field, picked up gold courtesy of Maria Buggenhagen in the women’s shot put F55 with a season’s best 7.96m.

“It was a wonderful experience here in Doha,” said Buggenhagen. “My next aim is Rio 2016 where I am to claim the gold. Although I haven’t managed to see the city of Doha, the organising of the event has been amazing.”

Her compatriot Marie Hawkeswood took silver (7.44m) with Bulgaria’s Daniela Todorova winning bronze (7.12m).

Iran’s Seyedmohsen Hosseinipanah took gold in the first field event of the day, the men’s shot put F35. Just two centimetres separated Hosseinipanah from Latvia’s silver medallist Edgars Bergs (14.00m) as a personal best of 14.02m in the third round put the Iranian in to the lead. Bronze went to Russia’s European champion Alexander El’Min (13.87m).

Ukraine’s Oleksandr Doroshenko safely retained his world title in the men’s shot put F38, throwing a best of 14.71m to finish nearly one and a half metres clear of the rest of the field. South Africa’s Reinhardt Hamman (13.37m) took silver with bronze going to Dusan Grezl of the Czech Republic (12.05m).

There were a number of heats out on the track too starting with the men’s 100m T42. Australia’s Scott Reardon, who topped the podium two years ago in a dead heat with Germany’s Heinrich Popow, looked in superb shape as he led the qualifiers through to this evening’s final in 12.17 – just 0.06 off Popow’s world record. Denmark’s Daniel Jorgensen set a new personal best of 12.41 to win the opening heat.

Finland’s two-time world champion Leo Pekka Tahti looks on track for further success as he cruised home in 13.95 in the men’s 100m T54 heats ahead of the final later today. Watch out too for China’s Yanfen Cui and Yang Liu.

Brazil’s defending champion Terezhina Guilhermina and China’s Cuiqing Liu will continue their great rivalry on the track in this afternoon’s final of the women’s 200m T11. Guilhermina won her heat in 24.92 and she will be out to make amends for her defeat to Liu in the 400m on Friday. The Chinese sprinter looks to be continuing her good form however having set a new Asian record of 25.11 to win her heat.

Expect another thrilling rivalry later in the women’s 200m T12 final too as both Omara Durand of Cuba (23.49) – who set a new world record in the 400m T12 yesterday - and Ukraine’s defending champion Oxana Boturchuk won their semi-finals (23.95).

Canada’s Brent Lakatos (25.69) will be hoping to add to his medal tally as he cruised through to the finals of the men’s 200m T53. The multiple world champion will go for gold this afternoon alongside the likes of Frenchman Pierre Fairbank (26.94).

Chinese duo Lisha Huang and Hongzhuan Zhou both won their heats in the women’s 400m T53. Zhou, who won 1,500 gold yesterday, crossed the line in 59.64 whilst 100m champion Huang clocked 59.41. The pair will be stiff opposition for the likes of Australia’s Angela Ballard and the USA’s Chelsea McClammer.

Azerbaijan’s world ranked number two Elmir Jabrayilov (50.82) gave it his all to secure his place in tomorrow’s final of the men’s 400m T12. Portugal’s Luis Goncalves (50.19) was the fastest of the qualifiers.

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