Smyth sets new championship record en route to 100m final

Jason Smyth gave further evidence of his well-being when setting a new championship record en route to a comfortable T13 100m semi-final victory at the IPC World Athletics Championships in Lyon.

Smyth cannoned out of the blocks at the Rhone Stadium and accelerated smoothly away from the rest of the field to win in a time of 10.72, which was more than .3 of a second clear of Nambala Johannes of Namibia, who set a PB in second.

That type of form will make the 26-year-old from Derry a firm favourite to repeat his Double Paralympic achievement in London last year by adding the 100m gold medal to the 200m memento pocketed in world record-equalling style on Sunday.

His nearest challenger in tomorrow evening's final is likely to be South African Jonathan Ntutu, who set an African record when winning the opening semi-final in 10.99.

James Nolan, Head of Irish Paralympic Athletics, was thrilled with Smyth's display.

"Jason got out amazingly well in his 100m semi-final and had the field put away after 20m. He looked very relaxed running 10.7 and the championship record. With Jason in this form the final will be very exciting."

Smyth's room-mate and great friend, Michael McKillop will be attempting his own Double Double this evening when he bids to add the T37 1500m world title to his 800m crown, just as he did at the Paralympic Games.

Catherine O'Neill will also be competing in her second event, the F51 Club final, having finished fifth in the Discus on Sunday.