Two golds and a silver as Paralympic champ Paul Blake makes flying start to 2017 athletics season
University of Bath-based Paralympic champion Paul Blake has started his 2017 campaign in fine style by winning two golds and a silver at the Dubai 2017 World Para Athletics Grand Prix.
T36 runner Blake, coached by Rob Ellchuk at the Sports Training Village, ran his fastest 200m time since 2012 as he clocked 25.73 on the newly-laid track in Dubai to claim his first victory of the week in Monday’s T35/36/42 final.
He was back in action the following day in the 400m, the distance he won gold in at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. He produced another strong showing to take silver in the T36/37 final behind Algeria’s Sofiane Hamdi in 56.19.
A busy week concluded on Wednesday as Blake won gold in the T35/36/42 100m final, clocking 12.56 to finish ahead of fellow Brit Jordan Howe.
Blake’s main target for the season ahead is the IPC World ParaAthletics Championships, taking place at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Stadium in London from July 14-23, where he will be defending his T36 800m title.