PAUL Blake agonisingly missed out on a medal in his second event of the World ParaAthletics Championships, admitting he has found this season “really tough”.
Running in the men’s T36 400m at the London Stadium, the Dorset star recorded a season’s best time of 55.79 seconds, to finish in fourth spot.
Starting in lane four for the event, in which only a final was contested, the Dorchester athlete went with the early pace to try and track down eventual winner, Australian James Turner.
But the 27-year-old faded in the final stages to be picked up by Poland’s Krzysztof Ciuksza, who finished second, and New Zealand’s Keegan Pitcher in third.
Speaking to Channel 4 after the race, Blake said: “I maybe went off a little bit too quickly. My race plan went out the window a little bit.” He added: “I’ve had a really tough season.
“Mentally I have struggled since Rio and I am just going to take some time out this year and maybe re-focus for the next World Championships.”
Blake is set to go in the T36 100m tomorrow.
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