Teesside University student Jade Jones-Hall has won gold for Team England in the women’s Para-triathlon at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia.
Jones-Hall caught Australian Lauren Parker on the second lap of the run section to claim gold in the inaugural Para-triathlon at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Jade, who studies law, started the race 3 minutes and 58 seconds behind the first racer due to the staggered start times of triathletes based on the severity of their physical impairment.
“I was always chasing which is tough mentally, but to push through was great. I swam really well and I have been working on my swimming for the past six months. Anybody who knows me knows how much this means to me,” Jones-Hall said.
“I caught Lauren Parker on the second run lap, but anything can happen so I didn’t celebrate until I crossed the finish line.”
I couldn’t be happier! Commonwealth Champion. ???????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/aEBnpvdgK9
— Jade Jones-Hall (@JadeJones11) April 7, 2018
The 22 year-old Teessider completed the race in 71 minutes and 7 seconds to take gold with Australian pair Emily Tapp in silver medal position 1 minute and 49 seconds behind and Lauren Parker claiming bronze.
“The race went pretty much to plan but I’m going to pour over the splits and find a way to improve. It felt pretty good but I’m an athlete and I’m always critical of myself, even when I win,” she said.
“I have only been doing para-triathlon for 18 months, and although I have made a lot of improvements, I still have a long way to go.”
Jones-Hall will be looking to bring another medal back to Teesside University when she competes in the T54 marathon held on Sunday, April 15th at 6.10 a.m. (local time) – 9.10 p.m. UK time.
Looking ahead to the marathon, Jones Hall said: “I’ve got eight days to recover before the marathon here and that will give me a good indication of whether I can do both. Everything was focused on the triathlon, so the marathon is just a bonus really.”
Highlights of the Para-triathlon finish are available to watch here on the BBC Sport website.
CONGRATULATIONS JADE!!!
Freelance Sports Journalist. Teesside University Graduate
