Discus ace Dan Greaves sets his sights on 60 metres after winning Paralympic World Cup in Manchester
Last updated 5/31/2011 8:50:05 AM
Discus ace Dan Greaves sets his sights on 60 metres after winning Paralympic World Cup in Manchester
Britain's top Paralympic discus thrower Dan Greaves is convinced he is ready to break the 60-metre barrier this year after beating his own world record in Manchester.
Greaves moved a step closer to the magical mark when he improved on his personal best of 58.98m, which he set in New Zealand earlier this year, with a huge effort of 59.27m at the Paralympic World Cup.
It left the Loughborough-based athlete believes he can improve further and he said after taking his gold: "I've been training hard but I didn't expect to throw this big this early in the season.
"I had been throwing well in training and prepared well for this event so to improve my personal best as I work towards London 2012 is a good sign.
"I'm also glad to get a big throw early in the season."
Greaves' previous record saw him win gold at the IPC World Championships in New Zealand after the disappointment of only taking the bronze medal ay the Beijing Paralympics in 2008.
The 28-year-old, who was born with a foot deformity, went into the Beijing Games as the defending champion in the T44 category and was bitterly disappointed with his performance.
But his victory in the World Championships has shown the world that he is back in business and on target to regain his title in 2012.
"Training since New Zealand has been so enjoyable. My performance aim for the season was to throw 59.50m with 60m and then 62m as my progressions, so I'm well on course for that," he added.
"I've been doing a lot more swimming and gymnastic work to help with my flexibility and I'm really seeing the benefits of that.
"To throw 60m would be great and I'm certainly in good shape to do it."
Greaves will face Beijing silver medallist Jeremy Campbell at the US Nationals in Florida next month and is also hoping to earn an invitation to compete at the Diamond League meeting in Crystal Palace in August.
"It was great to compete in front of a home crowd in Manchester and it gives a great insight into what 2012 might be like," he admitted.
"To have the chance to compete in the Diamond League meeting would be a massive boost and great experience to show how close I am to the able-bodied throwers and to help take me to the next level."