Corringham-based paralympian Danny Crates defied the windy weather to set a new world record for the T46 800m at Watford's Wood-side Stadium.

The record is still awaiting ratification but Crates, who is gunning for Gold in Athens this summer, was delighted after slicing nearly a second off his previous personal best to finish first in a time of 1.54.70mins.

"I am very pleased," he said. "We knew I was capable of a fast time and I had put a lot of pressure on myself to achieve it.

"But the bad weather meant that I just concentrated on racing, relaxed and tried to win the race."

Published Tuesday June 29, 2004

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