London 2017: Day 10 athlete evening reaction

The final session of the World Para Athletics Championships. 23 Jul 2017
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Spain's Sara Andres Barrio celebrates after winning bronze in the women's 200m T44 at London 2017.
Spain's Sara Andres Barrio celebrates after winning bronze in the women's 200m T44 at London 2017.
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This page will be updated with athletes' quotes throughout Sunday evening's session of the World Para Athletics Championships London 2017.

Women's long jump T42

Martina Caironi ITA – Gold

“From the start it was obvious that there would be no story. I had a few problems on the runway. It was very quick and very hard and I had to adjust to it.

It is true that Vanessa (Low GER) was missing but I am improving all the time and I hope that I can still find the motivation to train more as this is the real problem for me. I think that if Vanessa comes back then that will be the motivation I need.

I now know that I don’t have to declare that I want to achieve a world record. This put a lot of pressure on me.

I will now go and rest and finally take a holiday.”

Women's 200m T44

Marlou van Rhijn (NED) – Gold

“I ran my PB in conditions like this so I actually quite like the rain. It shouldn’t matter what the conditions are. I may be weird but think this is fun. It’s probably a bit dangerous in blades but that’s what makes it fun.

“We all have spikes under them, so it should be ok. The rain gives you this feeling that you have to give everything. It’s like a medal for the toughest.

“It’s amazing to win the 200m again and especially to do it here in this stadium where I won my first ever title. I would have liked to have won the 100m but it wasn’t to be. Now I have to go away and work on running faster times.”

Men's 5,000m T54

Marcel Hug (SUI) - Gold

"To win my third gold medal is a great way to end a great week and I am proud of what I did. I was prepared for the rain and I had my rain gloves and I had a good grip. I was happy to take the lead and it was quite a tactical race. In the end it was all about being in the right position. I was in a good position for the final lap.

"I am very happy with these championships. On the one hand, I won three gold medals and, on the other, we have raced in a great atmosphere."

Men's shot put F32

Lahouari Bahlaz (ALG) – Gold, WR

“I’m very happy to win. I didn’t expect to break the world record, not at all. But I was confident in myself all the time. I knew I could do it. The medal is for Algeria, not for me. It is for all Algeria’s people.

“I hope I can throw further in the future. I have a distance in mind but I’m not going to share it. It’s a secret.

“The rain was fine. It doesn’t affect me because I’m used to throwing in the rain.”

Men's 800m T36

James Turner AUS – Gold

“I feel amazing, I am so pumped and there is so much adrenaline running through my body right now. I wasn’t sure if I could make this race but I wanted at least one last crack here. The conditions were difficult but I wore my long tights so I could keep warm and it worked in my favour.

I was too crook to go to my medal ceremony for the 400m. I pushed myself a little too hard in that race and it had a bad impact.

This is my first world championships and I’ve learnt a lot from it. I know I need to be more aware of my feelings with the crowd support. I get too excited and push myself too much. I have to be more in control and not let the crowd push me quicker than the pace I am comfortable at.

This has been an amazing championships. The facilities are top notch and I have really enjoyed everything here. I’m going to have so many great memories and I’m going to celebrate by training hard and making sure I get in the Paralympic team for Tokyo.”

Women's javelin F34

Lijuan Zou CHN – Gold

“I have performed so much better than I expected and I’m very happy. I was not worried by the weather and it did not make any difference to my performance.

I am now looking forward to Tokyo and I plan to make sure I have an even better competition that Rio 2016 and increase my distance.

I love London especially the weather as it is really hot in China at the moment. The people here have been very friendly and I hope that I will come back here very soon.”

Women's 800m T53

Hongzhouan Zhou (CHN) – Gold

“Despite the strong field tonight, I felt confident. The only thing I was concerned about was the weather because it would be slippery and dangerous with the heavy rain. The most important thing was to stay relaxed and to do my job.

“If you want to win competitions, you have to have a good coach. So this title also goes to my coach. I also have full support from our federation and my team.

“I think all my team members are well prepared and they all can win medals. I am very proud to win this gold.”

Men's 400m T37

Charl du Toit (RSA) – Gold, AR

“I’m so surprised and really thankful. Eight years after my first season I’m here with double gold. I didn’t even look at the clock. I was so surprised at the time, I couldn’t believe it. This would have been the first year in eight I didn’t get a PB then I saw that time and it’s a national record

“I had an injury at the start of the year, and if someone had said then I’d get two golds I wouldn’t have believed them.

“I’ve done three events and it takes a lot of your body but in the future, who knows, I may go for the 100m too. For now, I’m a 200m and 400m runner, and this final was my favourite race of the championships.”

Women's shot put F12

Lahouari Bahlaz (ALG) – Gold, WR

“I’m very happy to win. I didn’t expect to break the world record, not at all. But I was confident in myself all the time. I knew I could do it. The medal is for Algeria, not for me. It is for all Algeria’s people.

“I hope I can throw further in the future. I have a distance in mind but I’m not going to share it. It’s a secret.

“The rain was fine. It doesn’t affect me because I’m used to throwing in the rain.”

Men's 4x100m relay T11-T13

Joan Munar Martinez (ESP) - Disqualified

"We were celebrating and we just found out that we have been disqualified. It was because of an exchange outside of the box. We will have to take a look at the video and see what we do."

Josiah Jamison (USA) - Did not Finish

"That happens (failing to exchange the baton in the box) on the relay and we are a bit disappointed. We were the favourites coming in and it's a shame. Maybe in all the excitement, you can be a bit over-anxious. "

Men's 4x100m relay T42-T47

United States of America – Gold, NR [Note: Team was later disqualified after further review]

Jerome Singleton:

“Man, I know I had a great team behind me I just wanted to give us a shot.“

Jarryd Wallace:

“Without a doubt the most special medal of the championships - to be next to your team-mates and to compete against the best guys in the world and beat them. We ran a great time and get a gold medal, it is just unbelievable.”

Tanner Wright:

“Definitely, this makes it up for us after what had happened. I am glad we managed to win and keep us on the stage.”

Hunter Woodhall:

“National record, it is absolutely amazing. It was tough coming out in the fourth leg with the three greatest athletes in the world. Being the youngest guy in the team, I have a great three mentors here that helped to keep all the energy and excitement down and just go a good race.”

Women's 800m T20

Women's 100m T54

Amanda Kotaja (FIN) – Gold

“That was amazing. I was just hoping to enjoy the race and maybe win a medal of some kind. But I didn’t expect the gold. It will feel unbelievable to have the medal around my neck.

“I had no idea the others were closing on me at the end. I didn’t see anything except the track, but I knew I had won when I crossed the line.

“It was my aim to emulate Leo Pekka (Tahti). He is a hero and an idol. I’m so proud to have won the same event.”

Live coverage and results from the World Para Athletics Championships London 2017 can be found each day at www.worldparaathletics.org/London2017. Around 1,150 athletes from 90 countries will compete in 202 medal events between 14-23 July.