‘Tokyo Calling’ as Taylor (GB) wins Gold in the World Triathlon Para Cup in A Coruna
Michael Taylor (PTS4) took Gold at the 2021 World Triathlon Para Cup over the weekend in A Coruna, Spain to the sound of ‘Tokyo Calling’.
Since Taylor moved onto the British Para-Triathlon performance squad in November 2019, he has continued his rapid rise in world paratriathlon which has seen him move up to 5th place in the Paralympic Qualification Ranking and ought to be enough for him to secure a place at Tokyo’s summer Paralympic Games this August.
In A Coruna, Taylor struck gold after taking the tape almost a minute and a half before Spain’s Alejandro Sánchez Palomero crossed the line in 2nd place. Fellow Brit, Finley Jakes raced alongside Taylor, recording a 6th place finish.
Taylor’s win in Spain and top spot on the podium follows his silver medal podiums at this year’s AJ Bell 2021 World Triathlon Para Series Leeds and the 2021 World Triathlon Para Series Yokohama.
PTS4 category: Less severe impairments. Athlete cycles on conventional bike and runs with or without the use of an approved prosthesis and/or supportive devices.
In the women’s PTS5 classification race at the World Triathlon Para Cup in A Coruna it was yet again a British one-two podium finish for Lauren Steadman and Claire Cashmore following their double podium at the AJ Bell 2021 World Triathlon Para Series Leeds.
Once again the British pair battled it out for the top podium spot. Steadman crossed the line after 01:07:25 before compatriot, Cashmore followed her twelve seconds later. The pair shared the podium with Canada’s Kamylle Frenette. Both Steadman and Cashmore show they are the dominant force in their category with Cashmore ranking 1st and Steadman 2nd in the Paralympic Qualification Rankings
PTS5 category:Minimal impairments. Athlete cycles on conventional bike and runs with or without the use of an approved prosthesis and/or supportive devices.
In the men’s PTVI race Oscar Kelly earned a place on the podium after finishing in 2nd place. Kelly shared the podium with France’s Arnaud Grandjean and Donnacha McCarthy (IRL).
PTVI category:Visually impaired (B2 or B3) or blind (B1). Start times factored with blind athletes starting ahead of those with some vision (less than 10 percent). First to cross the finishing line in overall PTVI category is the winner. A guide is compulsory throughout the race and the cycling leg is done in tandem.
