Perfect Start to Campaign in Christchurch. 24 January 2011

David Weir struck Gold on day two of the IPC World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand, kick starting his year on the big countdown to 2012. 

In the early hours of Sunday morning in the UK, David timed his T54 800m final perfectly to see off Switzerland’s world record holder Marcel Hug in the final stages. He took the lead in the home straight in a dramatic finish winning by fractions of a second.

He spoke to his coach Jenny Archer, back home within minutes of his victory.

“This is huge,” he said. “Definitely one of the biggest wins of my career.”

As an added bonus, David’s winning time was a new Championship record of one minute 37.28 seconds ahead of Hug and Julien Casoli of France.

“I knew that if I kept calm on the bend I had the speed and strength to take it,” he said.

“I played out my race plan exactly; I’ve spent all day thinking through different race situations and tactics and how they night play out. I’ve always said that this is one of the toughest categories in Paralympic sport and you have to be at the top of your game.

“I was definitely there today and everything went to plan, so I’m delighted!”

Jamie Baulch, his Manager at Definitive added: “It is terrific news, David has worked so hard to get back from a shoulder injury not long ago. This achievement is huge and a brilliant start to his year. ”