Davies Throws Down Rio Warning After Smashing World Discus Record

Aled Davies shattered his own world record to bag his second gold at the IPC Athletics European Championships.

The Bridgend-born powerhouse threw 54.14m in the F42 discus – adding a staggering five metres to his own mark to retain his title in Grosseto.

“I am absolutely delighted with that result,” said 25-year-old Davies. “To throw a personal best on the main stage is something every athlete wants to do.

“For me, I was even more shocked because I haven’t been doing too much discus this year as I have been focusing on the shot put for Rio, but I know there is a lot more in the tank.

“I’m so happy with that – I don’t really throw PBs on the big stage all that often so it was nice to do it.”

Davies had thrown a championship record of 47.84m and was stunned when he launched his monster effort later.

He added: “I managed to hold things together after the first round but as soon as that big throw came my body shut down, it was hard to go even further.

“I was shocked more than anything when the distance came up on the screen. I know I can throw a long way but the fact that I am surprised in myself is very exciting.

“I’m ecstatic to perform like that on the European stage against some top guys in the world.”

Davies looks in great form with the Rio Paralympics less than 10-weeks away when he will be aiming to add to the shot put bronze he won in London.

He added: “I’m a Paralympic bronze medallist in the shot put and I want to upgrade that.

“Hopefully my Iranian rival, Sajad Mohammadian, is watching but he can get some big throws out there so I know it is going to be tough.”