'Dominant' Maddie Down is British champion after storming to Para 60m success
A Halesowen teenage athlete is celebrating winning her first British senior title.
Maddie Down, 18, produced a dominant display in winning the women's Para 60 metres at the Novuna UK Athletics Indoor Championships in Birmingham.
Cheered on by a packed crowd at the Utilita Arena, Down clocked a time of 8.24 seconds coming ahead of fellow teenager Rebecca Scott (8.36) with double Paralympic gold medallist Sophie Hahn in third (8.38).
The Halesowen Athletics Club athlete was the only West Midlands medallist at the championships and she was pleased to finally win gold following two previous outings.
"To finally win the title is really cool," said Maddie. "I executed the race pretty well and although there are still some things to work on, overall I'm really happy.
"I had all my family down here and it was great to get support from a home crowd."
Down competed in the 100 metres and long jump at the 2024 Paris Paralympics and now has her eye on Commonwealth glory this summer in Glasgow.
She added: "That was my last indoor race of the season.
"Winter training is going really well and I'm now looking forward to building towards the 100 metres and long jump at the Commonwealth Games."
