South Africa
American Blake Leeper broke South African Oscar Pistorius’s T43 paralympic world record in the 400 metres when he ran 45.25 seconds at the U.S. athletics championships on Friday, officials said.
“It is hard to believe. To run 45.25 to break the world record, I am excited for the future,” said the 27-year-old Tennessee native who lives in Southern California.
Leeper finished a non-advancing seventh in the semi-final race despite competing as a double amputee.
Pistorius set his record of 45.39 seconds at Daegu, South Korea in August, 2011.
Paralympic gold medallist Pistorius is serving a six-year jail term after being found guilty of murdering his girlfriend in 2013.
REUTERS
Go to video
World Food Programme to halt aid for 650,000 women and children in Ethiopia
Go to video
South Sudan to send delegation to the U.S. in a effort to appease tensions
01:09
U.S. calls on Rwanda to withdraw troops from eastern DRC and end support for M23 rebels
Go to video
South Africa's tax row heads to court as implementation date nears
Go to video
South Africa appoints Mcebisi Jonas as special US envoy in bid to ease tensions
Go to video
South Africa: inquest into death of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Chief Albert Luthuli re-opened