Reardon equals 100m T42 world record

Sprinter Scott Reardon starred among others at the Australian Athletics Championships in Sydney. 17 Apr 2013
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A picture of a man on a podium with a medal around his neck

Silver medallist Scott Reardon of Australia poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men's 100m T42 Final at the London 2012 Paralympic Games

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By IPC

“Scotty’s race was an absolute highlight from the meet.”

Australia’s leading para-athletes have set their sights on the 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships in Lyon, France, after several outstanding performances at the weekend’s Australian Athletics Championships in Sydney.

Paralympic silver medallist Scott Reardon was among a host of athletes who impressed national selectors during the domestic season, and continued his outstanding form by equalling the world record for the 100m T42 – pending IPC Athletics ratification – on Saturday (13 April) on his way to securing the national title.

Just weeks after the 22-year-old became the fastest ever single -above-the-knee amputee over 200m at the Queensland Track Classic, Reardon showed his speed across the shorter distance, crossing the line in 12.14 seconds to match Canada’s Earle Connor, who set the mark 11 years ago.

The run would have won Reardon the gold medal in London, where he ran almost half a second slower than on the weekend, and is a huge confidence boost ahead of Lyon 2013.

“Scotty’s race was an absolute highlight from the meet,” said Athletics Australia Paralympic Preparation Program Manager, Andrew Faichney.

“He’s in incredible condition at the right time ahead of Worlds in July.”

London Paralympians Gabriel Cole and Simon Patmore will be hoping for selection, having run their fastest times this season in the 100m T46.

Cole broke the 11-second barrier in 10.92 and Patmore came close with a time of 11.02.

Newcomer from Western Australia, Chad Perris also impressed with a time of 11.30 in the T13 vision impaired class.

Sprint king Evan O’Hanlon posted an A-qualifying time in the 400m T38, as the 24-year-old looks for challenges beyond the 100m and 200m.

O’Hanlon crossed the line in 49.84 seconds and is hoping to compete in all three events in Lyon, while 15-year-old Rheed McCracken posted A-qualifying times in the 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m T34 to potentially make him one of the busiest Australian athletes in Lyon.

Paralympic silver and bronze medallist Katherine Proudfoot threw consistently well in the shot put and discus, posting A-qualifying distances in both events while London javelin F46 bronze medallist Madeleine Hogan threw a personal best of 40.29m before suffering a nasty fall on her fourth attempt that forced her withdrawal.

Athletics Australia will announce the next group of athletes selected to the World Championships team in the coming week, with Paralympic medallists O’Hanlon, Kelly Cartwright, Richard Colman, Todd Hodgetts and Kurt Fearnley earning automatic selection following the London Games.

The 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships will be held in Lyon, France, from 19-28 July.

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