By Tom Degun in Christchurch

David_Weir_wins_gold_in_1500m_at_World_Championships_January_26_2011January 26 - Britain's David Weir showed he is back to best as at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships as he picked up his second gold medal of the event with victory in the 1500 metres T54 race today.


With 1,600 people packed into the QE II Stadium here in Christchurch, New Zealand, Weir produced a carbon copy of his victory over Switzerland's silver bullet Marcel Hug in the 800m race earlier in the Championships as he came from behind to power past his rival down the home straight.

The 31-year-old Londoner, a double Paralympic champion from Beijing, claimed victory in 3min 10.93sec with Hug picking up silver in 3:11.13 and Saichon Konjen of Thailand taking the bronze in 1:37.53.

Weir told insideworldparasport: "This is the best that I felt since before Beijing.

"I always try and perform at the major Championships as I think that is where it matters most.

"I still feel great despite the schedule.

"I think the marathon will be the hardest event for me as I haven't done a lot of training but I've still got the speed and tactics to definitely be a threat there.

"However, the 5,000m is up first so I'm just focused on that at the moment."

The victory capped off a fantastic day for Britain where the team picked up two golds, two silvers and two bronzes.

In the men's discus throw F44 final, Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games bronze medallist Dan Greaves continued his outstanding form as extended his own world record by three metres with a throw of 58.98 metres to defend the title he won in Assen, Netherlands, four years ago.

Daniel_Greaves_wins_discus_Christchurch_January_26_2011

"To throw two PB's today was a massive achievement," said the 28-year-old from Leicester who is captain of the British team.

"I was really confident going into the competition and I was a bit annoyed to post two no-throws in the opening three, but I re-grouped and told myself to stick to what I do in training and I was so much more relaxed after that.

"Maybe I was trying a bit too hard in the opening rounds.

"I wasn't turning like I had been in training but I managed to put it right.

"This is amazing.

"I lost my way a bit after finishing third in Beijing but I re-focused and this win stands me in good stead for London.

"I thought I had a 60 metres throw in me today, but it'll come."

Meanwhile Mickey Bushell, who took silver in the 100m T53 event earlier in the week, claimed bronze in the 200m T53 race in 27.11sec finishing behind Li Huzhao of China and Brent Lakatos of Canada respectively.

Bushell though, admitted he was delighted to make the final after missing out in the event in Beijing in 2008.

"I'm happy with that," said the 20-year-old from Shropshire.

"I was just pleased to get through and I'm happy to get onto the podium.

"I had to calm down after the 100m and maybe being more relaxed helped me."

Hazel Robson took silver for Britain in the women's 100m T36 final.

The 31-year-old from Newcastle finished in 14.94 behind Elena Ivanova of China and ahead of bronze medallist Aygyul Sakhibzadaeva of Russia.

In the very next race, Katrina Hart the 20-year-old from Bath took bronze in the women's 100m T37 final in 14.26 as she finished behind Viktoriya Kravchenko of Ukraine and Maria Seifert of Germany respectively.

Tracy Hinton later took a second silver for Britain as the 40-year-old from Cardiff finished in 1:01.39 behind Terezinha Guilhermina of Brazil and ahead of bronze medallist Adria Rocha Santos of Brazil in the women's 400m T46 race.

Peter Eriksson, Britain's team leader and UK Athletics Paralympic head coach, told insideworldparasport: "This has been a great performance from the team so far but we can still do better.

"We have a young team with a lot of potential heading into London 2012."

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