Paris Grand Prix: Five talking points

Check out the headlines from the World Para Athletics Grand Prix which took place in Paris, France, from 14-15 June.

Ferreira on Fire

Brazil’s sprint star Petrucio Ferreira is even closer to becoming the world’s fastest Paralympian as he took a further 0.03 seconds off his own 100m T47 world record, clocking 10.50. The result means Ferreira is within touching distance of Ireland’s visually impaired sprinter Jason Smyth who ran 10.46 at London 2012.

Gomes defies expectations

Among a host of terrific performances by Brazilian Para athletes, Ferreira wasn’t the only one breaking records in the French capital. Elizabeth Gomes defied expectations with a new discus F52 world record, throwing 16.82m. The 53-year-old, who has multiple sclerosis, was reclassified earlier this year to the F52 class due to the worsening of her condition. The effects of the degenerative disease means she has suffered a significant loss in power and strength in recent months.

Thrilling head-to-heads

French indoor champion Redouane Hennouni got the better of teammate and world silver medallist Louis Radius in the men’s 1,500m T38; while Brazil’s 100m T37 world champion Mateus Evangelista beat South Africa’s 200m T37 world champion Charl du Toit in the men’s 200m T37. Argentina’s world silver medallist Hernan Barreto also delivered a good performance by beating Brazil’s Paralympic silver medallist Fabio da Silva Bordignon in the men’s 200m T35.

Hopes high for triple world champions

Germany’s Johannes Floors and Ukraine’s Leilia Adzhametova both won three individual gold medals at last year’s World Championships. They are now hoping to add to their medal tallies with success at the 2018 Berlin European Championships. Floors clocked new world leads in the men’s 200m and 400m T62, while Adzhametova was the standout winner with world leads in the women’s 100m and 200m T13.

McCarthy breaks European again

Ireland’s world and Paralympic silver medallist Niamh McCarthy smashed the European discus F41 record she set at the Rieti Grand Prix in Italy last month with her sixth and final effort of 32.67m.

*All record marks are subject to ratification by World Para Athletics

Full results are available online.