Notts Paralympian who broke 100m world record targets hat-trick of world championship golds

sophie-hahn-celebrating-her-rio-2016-triumph-with-fellow-briton-kadeena-cox-
Sophie Hahn celebrating her Rio 2016 triumph with fellow Briton Kadeena Cox. Credit: Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil

A Nottinghamshire Paralympian is hoping to inspire the next generation of athletes at the World Para Athletics Championships in July by winning a hat-trick of gold medals.

Sophie Hahn smashed her own world record on Sunday (May 21) in the T-38 100m at the Loughborough International Athletics tournament by clocking 12.49s.

Speaking 50 days ahead of the world championships held at London’s Olympic Stadium, she said: “I just try to run quickly and see what happens; it was absolutely amazing.

“Weather conditions were perfect because in the warm weather I tend to compete better whereas if it is cold my muscles freeze up.

“I normally do two or three block starts until I know I am happy with myself and everything just fell into place.”

After tasting Paralympic success in the same event at Rio 2016, the 20-year-old improved on her previous best by 0.11 seconds at the weekend.

She said: “I was inspired myself by watching the games at London 2012, following Paralympians like Johnnie Peacock; I want to follow in their footsteps.

“I visited a few schools after Rio – after the worlds this summer hopefully I will be able to visit some more to try and inspire the next generation of potential athletes.”

Hahn, who has cerebral palsy, is bidding for a hat-trick of T-38 100m gold medals after claiming the top step in her debut championships in 2013 before retaining the title two years later in Doha, Qatar.

Her recent record-breaking time was her second at Loughborough’s running track.

Hahn, who is from Widmerpool, said: “It is where I train so I guess I feel very relaxed there.

“Next year we have the Commonwealth Games and Tokyo in 2020 but first it is the world championships which I am really looking forward in front of a British crowd.

“Training has been ramped up a gear in preparation for the event and hopefully I can retain my title and keep going.”

The World Para Athletics Championships will take place from 14-23 July, with the IAAF World Championships taking place at the same venue in August.

It is the first time both have been held in the same city with more than 3000 athletes from over 200 nations competing over 20 days of sporting action.