Hahn relishing chance to star for England

PARALYMPIC champion. World champion. European champion. World record holder.

Even in Loughborough few can match that kind of roll of honour, but in the quiet unassuming character of Sophie Hahn you have a fierce competitor.

In 2017 Hahn delighted home crowds on a number of occasions, firstly lowering her own world record at the Loughborough International Athletics meeting.

Of that day she said: “The Loughborough International is always one of my favourite competitions. I love competing in Loughborough as it’s where I’m most relaxed and I just love competing in front of a home crowd. Breaking the world record there was very special.”

From there she travelled 129 miles south, with the World Championships taking place in London just two months later. It was a similar story.

“London 2017 was just incredible as I won the 100m and the 200m and broke two world records.”

Hahn was already double 100m world champion, but this was the first time she had added the 200m title, underlining both her class and her increased strength that has come from finally being in her twenties.

“Every year my times get quicker and I seem to be more consistent and that’s all thanks to my great coaches Joe and Sam. We just keep working on tiny things to ensure that I stay ahead of the game and remain the best in the world.

“I started out when I was 16 and won my first World Champs medal and broke the world record; each year it just seems to get better and better. 2016 was my first Paralympic Games and I came away as Paralympic champion – you can’t ask for much more than that and I was over the moon.

“Last year I had an incredible journey and long may that continue!”

But how do you stay motivated when you’re already the best in the world?

“I’m very passionate and love what I do, but equally I never imagined I’d get to travel all over the world through athletics and meet so many great people, so that is exciting. My rivals are definitely catching it up though so it’s all about staying ahead of the game.

“One day I’m going to get beaten, and I know that day will come, so I just have to keep getting better, stronger and making it harder for them to catch me.”

So what about the prospect of competing at her first Commonwealth Games on the other side of the world?

“I’ve always wanted to visit Australia. I’m so excited for the Commonwealth Games and I think it’s fantastic that Team England are represented in the para and able-bodied events and that we’re all one team. I’d love to win the Commonwealth title to complete my collection.”