Stephen Miller turns tables on Idoudi

Posted by The Journal on May 26, 10 08:59 AM in Sport

Cramlington's Stephen Miller enjoyed a day to savour at the BT Paralympic World Cup yesterday as he gained revenge on Beijing gold medallist Mourad Idoudi.

In 2008 Miller cut a frustrated figure as Tunisian Idoudi landed club gold inside the iconic Bird's Nest arena with a world record throw of 35.77m, to end the Gateshead Harrier's 12-year grip on the medal.

But despite a persistent hip problem, Miller turned the tables on Idoudi yesterday in Manchester, launching a best throw of 31.67m to top the podium, with Idoudi second following a best effort of 30.11m.

And while Miller admits the win doesn't make up for his Beijing heartache, he was delighted to have got one over his arch rival as he continues his preparations for January's World Championships.

"I can't argue with the result, a win is a win and to beat the Paralympic champion from Beijing is a real confidence boost for the World Championships," said the three-time Paralympics gold medallist.

"It was disappointing in Beijing to lose the title and the world record so I have managed to get one over on him here. It's going to be a lot tougher in New Zealand though and I know I will have to throw a lot further to get the world title.

"I will be defending my title so hopefully I can do that. But he is the world record holder so I know I will have to throw very well."

Meanwhile, Sunderland sprinter Hazel Robson admits it was a job well done at the yesterday despite finishing fifth and sixth respectively in the 100m and 200m.

The Jarrow & Hebburn AC runner, who claimed bronze medals in the T36 100m and 200m in Beijing, was far from her best as Germany's Maria Seifert earned a sprint double.

In the build-up to Manchester, Robson had been predicting a showdown with fellow Brit Katrina Hart but the 30-year-old was twice off the pace.

Seifert claimed gold in the 100m with a time of 14.47 seconds as Hart took silver, with Robson finishing back in sixth in 15.56 seconds - way off her personal best.

In the 200m, Robson clocked a time of 32.39 seconds to finish fifth, with Seifert taking gold in 30.24 and Hart the silver in 30.91.

"The 100m was a good run," said Robson. "I got a good start and I kept it going through the line as well.

"My problem has been slowing down at the line but I've been trying to keep going and I'm pleased I was able to do that.

"I had a good lane for the 200m so I knew if I got a good start, I had a good chance of being in the mix.

"But I'm not really sure if I got a good start or bad start in the end. I tried to stay with Katrina Hart and I did. But it was very tricky running into that headwind.

"When you come round the bend in the last 100m, the wind really hits you on your face."

The BT Paralympic World Cup runs from 25-31 May featuring the world's leading Paralympic athletes in athletics, football 7-a-side, swimming and wheelchair basketball. The supporting partners are Northwest Regional Development Agency and Manchester City Council. www.btparalympicworldcup.com

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