England para team shine in Switzerland

The World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Nottwil is one of the highlights of the World Para Athletics calendar, and this year we saw some exceptional performances from the nine-strong team of para athletes, selected from the England Talent Pathway. With outstanding conditions on one of the fastest tracks in the world, the stage was set for high-quality athletics.

For the first time, we had frame runners on the team: Paige Murray (Phil Fleetwood, Charnwood AC) and Chris Callow (Robert Purcell, Yate & District AC), who both excelled in the 100m and 200m, securing significant personal bests while making their international debuts.

The team was captained by wheelchair racer Ellis Kottas (Jenny Archer, Weir Archer Academy), who will be competing at the Commonwealth Games in the 1500m wheelchair. She did an admirable job of leading and supporting a team with several para athletes making their England debuts, while also securing a PB in the 1500m - improving on the performance that qualified her for the Commonwealth Games.

As a team, the athletes competed in 26 events and secured 21 personal bests, showing formidable form at the start of the season. There were standout performances from Para Academy athlete Nancy Jubb (Richard Chiassaro, Team Bath Athletics), who made her international debut as a T54 wheelchair racer and secured significant PBs in the 100m, 400m, 800m and 1500m.

The youngest member of the team, T34 wheelchair racer Toby Metzgen (Jenny Archer, Weir Archer Academy), showed maturity beyond his years, coming away with three PBs in the 100m, 400m and 800m, as well as gaining valuable experience of operating in an international team environment.

The staff supporting the para team were exceptional and supported the athletes tirelessly. Thanks go to Jake Foster, Lauren Butler, Rich Chiassaro, Melissa Lock, and our physiotherapist Samuel Harry.

England results

• Chris Callow T72 (Robert Purcell, Yate & District AC): 100m Frame Running - 16.58 (7th), 200m Frame Running - 34.90 (4th),
• Daina Donnelly T34 (Job King, Coventry Godiva Harriers): 100m - 20.50 (12th), 400m - 70.37 (9th), 800m - 2:24.48 (10th)
• Dillon Labrooy T54 (Richard Chiassaro, Harlow AC): 400m - 50.94 (37th), 800m – 1:36.03 (23rd), 1500m – DNF
• Ellis Kottas T54 (Jenny Archer, Weir Archer Academy): 400m – 63.11 (25th), 800m - 2:06.03 (20th), 1500m - 3:44.68 PB (17th)
• Elizabeth Dodds T38 (Shrewsbury AC, Joseph McDonnell): 100m - 13.87 (14th), Long Jump - 3.96 (6th)
• Nancy Jubb T54 (Richard Chiassaro, Team Bath Athletics): 100m - 18.13 (19th), 400m - 62.09 (22nd), 800m - 2:05.95 (19th), 1500m - 3:46.88 (19th)
• Paige Murray T72 (Philip Fleetwood, Charnwood AC): 100m - 19.43 (2nd), 200m - 42.96 (6th)
• Toby Metzgen T34 (Jenny Archer, Weir Archer Academy): 100m - 18.09 (16th), 800m - 2:03.43 (15th), 400m - 62.37 (16th)
• Yasmine Hodkinson T54 (Jenny Archer, Weir Archer Academy): 100m - 20.06 (26th), 400m - 72.88 (31st), 800m - 2:24.25 (23rd), 1500m - 4:40.79 PB (22nd)

Athlete photos by Tobias Lackner
Chris Callow photo by Job King