Loughborough’s fine Paralympic Games continued in style on day five of the competition with a further three medals won by its inspirational athletes.
In the T34 100m, Hannah Cockroft set a new world record to win her third consecutive title, adding yet another gold to her incredible Paralympic medal haul.
The 29-year-old beat her own record to win in 16.39 seconds to claim her sixth Paralympic gold.
Following her gold medal win, Cockroft spoke to Channel 4:
"This last 18 months has been so weird and so, so hard. I just wish the stadium had been full to witness that.
"It's so special. It just feels like a massive, massive relief. We didn't know if we'd be here in Tokyo. I was so nervous. I did everything I could and thankfully it was enough.”
There was further success for Loughborough in the triathlon as College graduate George Peasgood won silver in the men’s PTS5.
Leading in the swim leg of the race, Peasgood was eventually caught by Rio 2016 champion Martin Schulz but held on for a well-deserved podium finish at his first Games.
In the women’s PTS5, Claire Cashmore claimed a defiant bronze despite receiving a one-minute penalty. The 2019 World Champion held her nerve to win her ninth Paralympic medal following a glittering career.
If you’re feeling inspired by the Paralympic Games, you can help support the future of Para sport on campus. By donating to the Para Sport programme, individuals can make a profound impact to a young person’s life. To find out how you can help, visit HERE.
For more information on Loughborough and its presence at the Paralympic Games, visit the dedicated website HERE.
Notes for editors
Press release reference number: 21/184
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2021 QS World University Rankings and University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2019.
Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 7th in the Guardian University League Table 2021, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 and 7th in The UK Complete University Guide 2022.
Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.