Fortune dominated the shot put in Berlin.

Fortune Favours The Brave As Sabrina Dominated In Berlin

Sabrina Fortune dominated the F20 shot put to become the third Welsh athlete to win gold at the World Para Athletics European Championships.

Fortune produced one of the performances of the day in Berlin as she took gold with a championship record of 13.30m.

The Deeside AAC athlete put together a fantastic series of throws on her way to her first career European title, surpassing the championship record with her first attempt of 12.89m before extending it to 13.18m two throws later.

World record holder Ewa Durska, of Poland, threw past the previous Championship record with 12.93m with her penultimate attempt,

But she was no match to Fortune who saved her best until last, nailing an effort of 13.30m to complete her dominance and add European gold to her Paralympic bronze from 2016.

Four of Fortune’s six attempts were better than the previous championship record of 12.73m.

A delighted Fortune said afterwards: “It is amazing. I never thought I would get a gold medal here. The crowd was amazing and being a part of that field was an experience and a half.

“When I got the first one out, I knew it was going to be far, and carrying it on, I wanted to cry at the halfway point.

“It was really nice to share the moment with my family who are out here, and I could see them all waving at the end.”

The 21-year-old added: ” I learnt [at the 2017 World Championships in London where she was sixth] that no matter how many times you fall down, you can get back up.

“There is always a chance to better yourself and you can learn from coming sixth to come first.

“Sometimes going into a competition wanting the world record, wanting gold – it doesn’t always work like that. So if you go ‘I want a PB’ and if it comes, it comes.

“Last night I had a dream I would win gold. I’m so glad it came true.”

On Monday night fellow Welsh athletes Hollie Arnold (F46 javelin) and Harri Jenkins T33 100m) claimed gold for GB.

On Tuesday, Fortune was joined by Richard (T61 200m) and Maria Lyle (T35 100m) in grabbing gold.

Great Britain have claimed a total of 13 medals during the first two days, including a bronze medal for Welsh sprinter Laura Sugar in the T44/66 100m.

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