Kinghorn battles back from brink for bronze at the World Para Athletics Championships

Sammi Kinghorn is determined to challenge for higher honours in Tokyo after a rocky season ended with bronze at the World Para Athletics Championships.

The 23-year-old came into the T53 100m final as reigning champion and after an injury-ravaged season, emerged with bronze in a time of 16.64 secs with a tailwind.

Kinghorn, who went under the knife just five months ago after a bout of ill health, is already chomping at the bit to upgrade her global gong at next year’s Paralympics.

“I was honestly thinking I’d be top five after the year I’ve had, but I’ll be ready to fight for a higher medal in Tokyo.” she said.

“Obviously, it’s tough when you come in as the defending champion but after the year I have had, I am so pleased to make it onto the podium. My family will all agree.

“But that’s fine – if I came off the track saying everything was perfect, I’d be pretty worried. Even coming away with a world bronze, I know I can do even better.

“It gives me so much confidence for next year because I know I can go a lot faster than that. There’s going to be a tough training block ahead, but I’m now focused to be on that podium.”

Kinghorn, who finished behind dominant Chinese duo Fang Gao and Hongzhuan Zhou, will appear at her second Paralympics in Tokyo after fifth in the 100m in Rio.

Elsewhere, Lydia Church threw 11.25m for a creditable seventh on World Championships debut in the F12 shot put.

Fourth-placed finishes from Ben Rowlings and Isaac Towers saw them safely through to T34 400m final tomorrow evening, while Richard Chiassaro booked his spot in the T54 800m showpiece.