Josie Pearson wins gold in women's discus at London Paralympics

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  • Josie Pearson wins gold and breaks the world record.
  • Sascha Kindred says he is proud to be from Herefordshire and waves to the crowd after his final event at the Paralympics.

7:59pm

That's it from the Hereford Times live blog today.

And what a day it has been for Herefordshire sport.

Josie Pearson wins Paralympic gold in the discus and achieves three world record throws.

And Sascha Kindred reaches the final of his event and, although he was disqualified, he was in good heart afterwards.

Everyone in Herefordshire should be proud of our Paralympians.

 

7:55pm

7:55pm

7:53pm

Josie is now being interviewed live in the stadium and it is being shown on the big screens.

What a day she's had!

7:47pm

The crowd are on their feet and Josie looked a picture as she sang the National Anthem.

She looked so happy and she deserves the roars and cheers.

Josie will remember this moment for the rest of her life.

She has collected a gold medal in front of 80,000 people in the Olympic Stadium.

We'll be seeing a lot more of Josie in the discus.

7:40pm

Here comes Josie and she waves to her friends in the crowd.

 

 

7:35pm

Managed to get a good spot to see Josie's gold medal ceremony.

It will take place in around five minutes.

 

7:22pm

7:21pm

We've made a splash exit from the pool and back in the Olympic Stadium.

Josie Pearson will be collecting her gold medal at around 7.40pm.

It might bring tears to the eyes..

7:16pm

Sascha was in a relaxed mood after his final race of the Games.

He said: "It's not the greatest of my last swim's at the Games but the medley was my focus.

"I can't be too disappointed with my performances, especially in the medley.

"I am just glad that I had the opportunity to swim in front of that crowd.

"I will have to go back home and reevaluate what I have done and I know I can go quicker in the medley.

"This is by far the best Games that I have ever been to.

"I am proud with the way I have trained for this and the support I've had from the Herefordshire community, my coaches, Emma Patrick and Ben Harwood.

"It has been a successful day for Herefordshire with Josie Pearson getting a gold in the discus.

"I am very proud to be part of the Herefordshire community. Four  of us have got medals and I can't wait to get back and celebrate with them and show the medals to the county."

6:31pm

We have just heard that Sascha has been disqualified.

6:30pm

New world record for Qing. Incredible.

Fifth for Sascha Kindred.

That was a superb effort from Sascha.

6:27pm

They're off...

6:25pm

Sascha is introduced to the crowd and gets a huge roar of appreciation.

Whatever happens after this race, he has been one of Britain's most successful ever sportsmen.

Sascha and wife Nyree are called the 'golden couple' of British swimming and they deserve the title, too.

The couple are fantastic ambassadors for swimming and, of course, Herefordshire.

Sascha goes in lane seven.

Here we go...

6:16pm

The 50m butterfly is a 'splash and dash'.

The race will be won in around 30 seconds.

 

6:11pm

We've got some medal ceremonies coming up before the men's 50m butterfly final involving Sascha.

5:57pm

 

Just 28 minutes until Sascha's final.
 
It's his fourth and final event of these Games.
 
He's bagged a silver medal so far.
 
I've read stories suggesting that this might be his last ever race.
 
Let's hope that isn't the case.

5:44pm

 

Sascha took the bronze medal in the 50m butterfly four years ago in Beijing.
 
It is not one of his favoured events but we're keeping our fingers crossed.
 
The remarkable XU Qing, who smashed Sascha's medley record earlier this week, will be in lane four.
 
Sascha will be swimming in lane seven.

5:34pm

Sascha is swimming in the fifth final of tonight's schedule.

The first race has just got under way.

It's hot in the arena tonight and it's not a full-house yet.

 

5:23pm

Josie Pearson is being presented with her gold medal in the Olympic Stadium at around 7.30pm.

The action tonight centres on Hereford's Sascha Kindred at the Aquatic Centre.

The six-time Paralympic champion is racing in the final of the men's 50 m butterfly S6 at 6.23pm.

3:51pm

Commenting on Josie's amazing achievement, Brecon and Radnorshire MP, Roger Williams said:

‘Josie’s victory is a tremendous achievement and we can all be extremely proud of her.

“Finishing 242 points clear of her nearest rival and breaking the World Record for three categories demonstrates what a fine athlete Josie is.

“Josie’s success adds to what has been Great Britain’s finest Olympic and Paralympic performance in more than a century and will undoubtedly serve to inspire a generation, just as the London 2012 Games had intended.”

3:48pm

Shop assistant Brenda Jones, from the Number Two shop in Hay-on-Wye, which is owned by Josie Pearson's mum Sue: "One of the assistants in London rung us to say that she had won gold - we are all so excited for her.

"We have told half of Hay about it.

"She has done wonderfully well and to break three world records as well.

"But we knew that she do it."

On the possibility that Hay could have a postbox painted gold, Brenda added: "It would be lovely if it happened as it would mean that it won't just be the book festival that puts Hay on the map."

3:10pm

3:04pm

3:04pm

3:04pm

3:03pm

2:18pm

2:12pm

Just to recap:

Women's discus throw F51/52/53 final

Olympic Stadium.

 

Winner: JOSIE PEARSON 6.38, 6.54, 6.58, 6.04, 6.51, 6.57.

Result: 6.58, 1122 points and new world record.

 

Second: Catherine O'Neill (Ireland) 5.66, 5.45, 5.59, 5.62, 5.61, 5.51.

Result: 5.66, 880 points.

 

Third: Zena Cole (USA) 5.02, 5.14, 5.25, 4.94, 4.84, 5.16.

Result: 5.25, 7.71 points.

1:48pm

1:45pm

1:43pm

1:40pm

Josie is looking forward to collecting her gold medal tonight.

"I think the ceremony is at 7.30pm I think," she said.

"hopefully there will be a big crowd.

"I think my parents have got tickets to see it but I don't think all my friends have tickets to see it."

She added: "I can't wait."

1:36pm

Josie says the golden postbox should be in Hay-on-Wye.

"I can't wait to see my golden postbox and my stamp.

"I live in Hay and I hope the postbox will be somewhere in Hay.

"I am hoping that people will come and see it.

"I am bringing it back to Hay-on-Wye."

"A massive thank you to my personal trainers Dave Smith and Ben Harwood.

"I am in the best shape of my life. Thank you to everyone who has supported me - friends, family and social media networks - it really does make a difference."

 

 

1:27pm

1:27pm

Josie said: "It has been amazing. I can't quite put into words how I am feeling at the moment. I don't think I will believe I am Paralympic champion until I get that gold medal around my neck.

"I knew that in training I was consistently throwing over the world record so I knew that it was a definite possibility that I could do it."

Josie beat the world record with her first three throws.

"I am absolutely ecstatic."

1:27pm

1:20pm

1:10pm

1:08pm

12:48pm

Josie Pearson is Paralympic  Champion.

She gets a huge ovation from the crowd.

Well done Josie!

Let's grab a few words with her.

Back soon.

Where will the postbox go?

12:40pm

I feel that I can say it now.

Josie Pearson is going to win gold in the women's discus.

I will eat my laptop if she doesn't.

Josie has been outstanding and will be bringing a gold medal back to Herefordshire.

It hasn't been sealed yet but the Fat Lady is clearing her lungs.

12:34pm

12:26pm

Josie throws her final attempt and it's an outstanding 6.57.

Brilliant from Josie.

What a day she has had.

Josie is miles in front.

12:25pm

Josie follows it up with an impressive 6.51. 

12:23pm

In her fourth attempt, Josie throws 6.04.

12:22pm

12:20pm

Massive cheer for Josie Pearson as the announcer gives her a mention.

12:18pm

Josie is back in the discus circle.

it will be her fourth attempt.

12:12pm

12:10pm

Josie Pearson will be back in the circle in the next ten minutes and I can't wait to hear the cheers.

We've got the long jump, javelin and wheelchair racing also going on this morning.

There are so many smiling faces in the crowd and it's fantastic to see.

 

12:06pm

12:06pm

11:55am

Back in the discus circle, Ireland's O'Neill has just completed her three throws.

The Irish woman is lying in second spot.

Josie Pearson will be throwing sixth in the circle and still leads.

The third competitor is in the circle for her final three attempts.

11:50am

 

11:44am

The first Mexican Wave of the day sweeps around two sides of the stadium.

I am never quite sure why people do it - perhaps if    the action was dull I would understand.

It is baking hot and the action is fantastic. Hopefully, the wave won't catch on.

11:35am

All eight athletes have just completed their three throws.

As it stands, Herefordshire's Josie Pearson is in the top spot by more than 200 points.

I am not going to use the four letter word beginning with 'g' just yet.

We are half-way through.

 

11:32am

 

11:23am

Josie gets a huge cheer from the capacity Olympic Stadium crowd as the latest scores in the discus are announced over the public address system.

Seven of the eight competitors have had their opening three throws and Josie is 242 points ahead of Ireland's O'Neill.

11:17am

11:17am

11:15am

11:14am

11:10am

11:09am

Josie set a new world record with 6.38 and then smashed it with 6.54 before going even better with 6.58.

She has taken pole position after securing 1122 points.

Sensational start by Josie, who will be returning later for her final three throws.

11:05am

Incredible start from Josie Pearson.

She has soared into the lead by breaking THREE world records.

 

11:01am

Josie has just set a world record with her first throw.

11:00am

My iPad has just overheated - it's either the weather or the fantastic action in the Olympic Stadium.

Josie Pearson hasn't thrown yet but is poised to after two medal ceremonies.

10:50am

Josie is getting ready for her first attempt..

10:48am

I can see Josie and she has just entered the throwing circle.

10:46am

Cassie Mitchell, the athlete, just before Josie has just done two foul throws.

She's got one more and the Herefordshire star takes to the circle.

Stay tuned.

10:41am

Josie Pearson will be having a few butterflies at the moment.

She is the sixth athlete to compete in the discus and the fifth, Cassie Mitchell, is currently there.

Ireland's Catherine O'Neill leads with 880 points after her opening three throws with a best effort of 5.66.

Josie's personal best in this event is 6.66 and her season's best is 6.66.

 

10:37am

10:37am

Sascha was fourth in his heat and the sixth qualifier in 33.19.

 

10:36am

The good news for Herefordshire is that Sascha Kindred has made it through to the 50 m butterfly final tonight.

10:33am

Josie will be performing her first three attempts in the next 20 minutes.

USA's Zena Cole, the third to complete her opening three throws, has secured 7.71 points.

Each athlete will have a total of six throws with points awarded after every aattempt.

The winner will be the athlete who accumulates the most nunmber of points and not necessarily the woman who achieves the longest throw.

 

10:22am

Very early days in the women's discus.

Josie Pearson will be the sixth athlete into the throwing circle.

O'neill has taken an early lead after throwing a season's best of 5.66 and has 880 points.

USA's Zena Cole is the third athlete in the throwing circle.

We've got golden sunshine this morning - all we now need is a gold medal for Herefordshire.

 

10:18am

10:17am

We've had a couple of medal ceremonies and Ireland's Catherine O'neill is currently in the discus throwing circle.

Tunisia's Chelhi has completed her first three throws with a top effort of 4.43.

I have to say, that this is a special stadium and it's an honour to be here.

10:06am

The discus event is under way and Josie will be the sixth athlete to throw.

There are other events taking place in the stadium, too, and the men's javelin will be starting in a few moments.

 

10:00am

Fans carrying a GB flag with Josie Pearson's name on it flashes up on the big screens in the stadium.

And the Herefordshire athlete gets a huge roar as her name is read out to the crowd.

 

9:56am

9:55am

9:55am

The Olympic Stadium crowd are in full voice and it's not half full yet.

We are awaiting the arrival of Josie and her discus rivals.

9:52am

Sascha Kindred is also in the pool this morning in the men's 50m butterfly at around 10.23am.

9:50am

We don't want to put too much pressure on Josie but she's had a superb season.

9:48am

It's a glorious day inside the Olympic Stadium this morning and there's not a cloud in the sky.

Thousands of fans are streaming into the arena and Herefordshire's Josie Pearson is about 13 minutes from starting her medal bid in the discus.

9:47am

9:17am

9:17am

9:17am

Comments(1)

littlewhitebull says...
12:43pm Sat 8 Sep 12

Congratulations to Josie on a superb achievement.

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