Dan Pembroke demolishes world record! Days 6-7 at the Paralympic Games
Heading into a Paralympic Games as reigning champion does hold some pressure, but Dan Pembroke (John Trower, Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow) didn't let it show - breaking his own world record and writing his name into the history books as Paralympic champion in the men's F13 javelin.
Let's take a look back at the last couple of days of action.
Day six
The last two days have seen the throwers flying the flag for ParalmypicsGB on the podium. Day six got off to an early start with Anna Nicholson (Richard Kaufman, Gateshead Harriers) taking on the F35 shot put. Returning for her second Games, Anna was fired up and ready when we spoke to her earlier this week. The rain was a factor which Nicholson had to overcome, and did so in excellent fashion throwing a best of 9.44m, just 3cm short of her lifetime best to secure the bronze medal.
“It’s worth all the hard work that I’ve put in for the past 10 years,” she said. "My first practice throw was absolutely shocking as I fell out of the throwing circle, so I just needed to reset and calm down. I knew there was a big throw in there, and I am delighted with a 9.44m.
I have so many people supporting me in Cumbria and the North East. I have had so many lovely messages. At work they were putting it on tele so everyone could watch. It is lovely to bring back a medal for all those who have supported me."
Shortly after England's Maddie Down (Mike Bennett, Halesowen) and Welshwoman Olivia Breen (Aston Moore, City of Portsmouth) were representing in the T38 long jump. It was an agonising competition for Breen who just missed out on the podium by one spot due to countback, measuring the same longest effort as Columbia's Karen Palomeque Moreno of 4.99m. In her very first Paralympic Games, Maddie Down jumped to a fantastic personal best of 4.81m in her fourth round to finish in sixth place overall.
Day seven
Day seven was definitely Dan's day! Pembroke demolished the F13 men's javelin record to successfully defend his Paralympic title. After throwing the highest mark of the competition in round four (71.15), it was all to play for as the title looked promising. Getting a big clap from the audience, Pembroke achieved an incredible distance of 74.49m, breaking his own record and defending his crown from Tokyo 2020.
“It was incredible,” he said. “I was doing my visualisations two days ago and I thought I had a 72m throw in me. That first world record (71.13m), I thought, that’s pretty good, just over the world record. Then the Iranian, Ali Pirouj, responded with a 69m throw, so I thought ‘the job’s not done yet’. I had to dig deep and really push that boundary a little bit more.
“This is what I love, I love javelin throwing. I’m in my element here. Let's see what LA brings."
Scotland's Sammi Kinghorn (Rodger Harkins, Red Star) made it four medals from four races as she clinched a third silver of the Games in the women’s 400m, clocking a time of 53.45.
Nathan Maguire (Ste Hoskins, Kirkby AC) added a fourth place finish in the men’s T54 800m in a time of 1:31.09.
Dan Greaves (Zane Duquemin, Charnwood) and Wales' Harrison Walsh (Ryan Spencer-Jones, Swansea) finished sixth and seventh respectively in the men’s F64 discus final. Greaves, who had won medals at all six of his previous Paralympics left with his head held high.
“I am a realist, seven Games and six medals is not a bad tally,” he said.
“It has taken getting to the grand old age of 41 to realise my past achievements are unreal. If you’d said to 13-year-old Dan that I’d have such a long career and medal at all these Championships, it’s just amazing. I have to be proud of myself.”
Marcus Perrineau-Daley finished second in his T52 100m heat in a 16.87 PB and progresses through to the final on Friday morning.