Bronze medal para-athlete aiming for 'gold, baby'

Lydia Church now has her sights set on gold in Los Angeles in 2028

A bronze medal-winning para-athlete said she was "buzzing" after coming third in the shot put and was now aiming for "gold, baby".

Peterborough thrower Lydia Church won bronze in the women's F12 shot put, with a throw of 12m and 60cm at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi on Saturday.

The F12 category is for visually impaired athletes and this was Church's first global competition since injuring her back.

Church, who recently underwent an operation, said: "I'm buzzing - I can't believe it - I just went out there, enjoyed it, had fun, and to come away with a medal, you can't ask for more than that."

She has been competing in athletics since she was eight years old and made her international debut in Dubai at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships, finishing in eighth place

Church claimed her first international medal with a silver in the F12 shot put at the 2021 European Para Athletics Championships in Poland.

Speaking after her bronze in New Delhi, she told the BBC: "I've only done two competitions before this as I was recovering from a back operation, so this chance was just about enjoying it, and if I come out with a medal you can't ask for more, so I'm really happy with the performance."

The women's shot put F12 final saw gold medallist Italy's Assunta Legnante (centre) celebrating on the podium with silver medallist China's Zhao Yuping (left) and bronze medallist Britain's Lydia Church (right)

Her sights are now set on the Paralympic games in Los Angeles in 2028.

LA would be "really big" she said, adding that she and her coach had been "working really hard".

"It's a big one there - it wasn't meant to be today, but it'll come, it's coming," she said.

After her back operation, Church said she "did not expect to be here, and I'm coming away with a medal".

"My confidence has just shot right up.

"I feel most confident when I'm throwing, and in a competition there's no stopping me.

"It's been amazing competing here - when you're relaxed and happy anything can happen.

"The GB team is amazing, they always come out and they're there - lots of shouting and people watching."

She aims to compete in LA in three years' time and added: "You can only live and dream, right?

"And we're doing all the work to make it possible, so yeah - gold, baby."