Pembroke retains crown in style while Kinghorn goes four from four

Not only did Dan Pembroke break a world record on the way to Paralympic gold, he absolutely demolished it.

The 33-year-old threw a huge 74.49m to successfully defend his Tokyo 2020 title in the best way possible in Paris.

Having already thrown a new world best of 71.15m on his third attempt, he added a further three metres on the next throw to produce one of the standout performances of Paris 2024 so far.

“It was incredible,” he said. “I was doing my visualisations two days ago and I thought I had a 72m throw in me.

“That first world record (71.13m), I thought, that’s pretty good, just over the world record.

“Then the Iranian, Ali Pirouj, responded with a 69m throw, so I thought ‘the job’s not done yet’. I had to dig deep and really push that boundary a little bit more.

“This is what I love, I love javelin throwing. I’m in my element here.”

Pembroke himself admitted that he never expected to throw that far but after being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis just two months ago was, has found himself at peak performance when it mattered.

And with 74m already in the bag, Pembroke teased that there might be more still to come.

“I never expected to throw 74m because I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition AS recently and I’ve been suffering with it for nine years undiagnosed,” he added.

“I know how to manage it now but it had been hindering my training all the way through my para career.

“I’ve had no pain in my body for two months now because of my diagnosis so if I get a year’s training behind me, who knows what could happen. Let’s see what LA brings.”

Sammi Kinghorn made it four from four as she clinched a third silver of the Games in the women’s 400m, clocking a time of 53.45.

After her golden exploits in the 100m the night before, Kinghorn was on top of the world and admitted that she hadn’t come down after reaching the podium once more at the Stade de France.

Holding off the charge from China’s Gao Fang and Zhou Hongzhuan on the home straight and powering home behind world record holder Catherine DeBrunner of Switzerland, Kinghorn might be in for another sleepless night in Paris.

“I’m absolutely buzzing, four from four you can’t be disappointed with that,” she said.

“I was still lying awake at 3am last night just happy with myself so this is great.

“Gold last night was incredible for me and knowing that I had one last chance to come out and enjoy it today was great.

“It was a good race and I’m happy with the time as Catherine’s PB is about two and a half seconds faster than mine so she was always going to be quick.

“I wanted to hold off the two Chinese athletes. I wanted to make sure that the silver was well and truly mine and I’ve done that.”