By Tom Degun in Christchurch

Nathan_Stephens_wins_World_Championships_January_28_2011January 28 - Nathan Stephens starred for Britain on day seven of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships at the QE II Stadium here as he claimed gold in the men's javelin throw F57/58 with a new record.


The 22-year-old F37 athlete from Bridgend in Wales, who cruelly missed out on a medal at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics after narrowly finishing in fourth place, secured victory and the world title with a throw of 39.11 metres, a Championship record.

Mahmoud Ramadan El Attar of Egypt picked up silver as he threw 43.53m in the F58 disability category while Thailand's Sakchai Yimbanchang took bronze with 41.42m, also in the F58 disability category.

"Those are the guys I competed against in Beijing so to come back and win the world title here is amazing," Stephens told insideworldparasport.

"It doesn't yet make up for what happened in Beijing but in London, when I get that Paralympic medal round my neck, that is going to be the key."

Stephens added he has thoroughly enjoyed being part of a successful British team in New Zealand.

"It is great to be here as part of the British team," he said.

"It is different to Beijing in that we are all out here supporting each other on the track and that really helps.

"We are not individuals but one big group and I'm glad I haven't let anyone down."

Stephens' victory was the highlight for the British team on a day seven where they secured a gold, two silvers and two bronzes.

In the morning session, Britain's Paul Blake continued his successful World Championship campaign as he claimed his second silver medal of the competition in the 800 metres T36 race.

Adam_Arefyev_beat_Paul_Blake_to_win_World_Championship_800m_January_28_2011The 21-year-old from Charlton Down, who raced to 1500m silver on his international debut earlier this week, was once again beaten to the line by world record holder and multiple Paralympic Games gold medallist Artem Arefyev (pictured) from Russia.

Blake led for the majority of the race and was ahead going into the final straight before Arefyev sprinted past him in the closing stages.

Arefeyev set a championship record of 2min 11.42sec while Blake took second place in 2:11.88 ahead of bronze medallist Jose Manuel Gonzalez of Spain, who finished in 2:14.47.

"Going out fast was always my intention," admitted Blake.

"I had planned to go out in 63 seconds but I went through 400m in 64 seconds and just worked hard to stick at it.

"I was aware of the Russian and I tried to hold on but I couldn't.

"Maybe I need to become a bit more aware of what's going on around me but I'm absolutely over the moon with two silver medals."

Britain's second silver came as Sophia Warner won silver in the women's 200m T35.

The 36-year-old from Surrey clocked a personal best of 37.04sec to finish in 37.04 just behind Australia's Rachael Dodds of Australia who won gold in 36.78.

Germany's Uta Streckert took bronze with a time of 36.78.

"I'm really happy with a silver medal and to set a new personal best," said Warner.

"It has been a great experience to be out here and I'm delighted with how I have performed."

In the women's F46 javelin final, Hollie Arnold secured bronze with a best effort of 32.45m.

Madeline Hogan of Australia took the title in a championship record and of 37.79m while Russia's Natalia Gudkova took silver in 33.65m

"I could have done better," said the 16-year-old from Grimsby, the IWAS World Junior Championships silver medallist in the event.

"I was so close to silver but I was having problems with my throwing arm, I'm not sure what was wrong, it wasn't nerves because I felt quite calm but I was pleased with my first throw.

"I've really taken in this whole experience and now I want to go back to training to get stronger."

Kyron_Duke_World_Championships_Christchurch_January_28_2011Kyron Duke (pictured), also claimed a bronze medal with a third place finish in the men's javelin throw F40

The 18-year-old from Cwmbran, who is also a world champion weightlifter, claimed his place on the podium with a season's best of 32.64m to finish behind Kovan Abdulraheem of Iraq, who threw a championship record of 36.32m, and his compatriot Wildan Nukhailawi in 34.98m.

"It is a great feeling to medal here and to represent Great Britain; the key now is to keep working as hard as I can up to London 2012," Duke said.

Today's medal haul takes Britain's overall tally to ten gold, nine silvers and 16 bronzes from the Championships.

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