Briton Pembroke retains world javelin title

Dan Pembroke is the world, Paralympic and European champion in the F13 javelin

Britain's Dan Pembroke retained his F13 javelin title at the World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan.

The 32-year-old was already certain of gold when he threw 66.96m in the final round, roaring in delight as the javelin soared beyond his previous best of 64.79m from the third round.

Pembroke will also be aiming to retain his Paralympic title in Paris later this year.

He said: “When you’ve had a long winter of training, you aren’t sure what you are capable of in your first competition, never mind when it is a world final.

"So, the pressure can get to you, but I felt like I relaxed into it towards the last attempt, so it just proves what is to come.

"A lot of my throws were going up and up about a metre each time, so by the time Paris comes around and I’ve got a few more competitions under my belt, we’ll be breaching that 70-metre mark again.”

Pembroke was trying to qualify for the London 2012 Olympics before an elbow injury ended his hopes.

Already dealing with the degenerative eye condition retinitis pigmentosa, which causes gradual sight loss, he stepped away from the sport to go travelling before returning and being classified as a Para athlete in 2019 and embarking on a new athletics career.

Behind Pembroke, Iran's Ali Pirouj took silver with 63.15m and compatriot Sajad Nikparast secured bronze (62.30m).

Meanwhile, Briton Harrison Walsh won bronze in the F64 discus with a season-best 52.48m with his final throw. American David Blair won gold with 60.13m and Croatia's Ivan Katanusic claimed silver with 53.89m.

Wheelchair racer Mel Woods came fourth in the women's T54 400m final in 55.33 seconds, having finished in the same position in the 1500m final on Tuesday.

Mo Jomni also missed out on a medal in the men's T53 800m, finishing fourth in one minute 46.50 seconds.

Meanwhile, Hannah Cockroft and Fabienne Andre reached Friday's final of the women's T34 800m.

Cockroft, who is going for her 16th World Championship title, won her heat in a championship record one minute 54.83 seconds.

Great Britain co-captain Ali Smith is into the final of the women's T38 400m after clocking one minute 03.56 seconds in her heat.