World-beater! Gavin wins gold in Paris with T72 100m European Record

Monday 10th July 2023

Gavin celebrates in Paris with coach David Phee (photo by Pamela Robson)

The GB and NI team made the perfect start at the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris as Scotland’s Gavin Drysdale and Rafi Solaiman won gold and silver respectively in the men’s T72 100m.

Drysdale won a second world title of his career, and he was pushed all the way to achieve it by European champion Rafi Solaiman who matched his silver medal winning display from 2019.

The duo take home the honours in the new FrameRunning event to start GB and NI’s march at the Champs in France.

Solaiman started very well, as did Drysdale, and the pair were locked in battle from the early stages. In fact, there was hardly anything to separate as they neared the finish line, but the Scottish athlete just had the edge to seal the title in a European record of 16.66 (1.5).

‘That felt amazing,’ said a delighted Drysdale after his world gold medal display.

‘I have never raced in a stadium like that. It was an incredible experience, and I am very pleased to be world champion. Well done to my teammate Rafi for such a close race. He pushed me all the way.

‘I am so pleased to have won GB their first gold medal and I have no doubt that this will be the start of a medal rush for the team.’