 Crates is bidding for a gold medal in Athens |
Danny Crates gave his Paralympic title hopes another boost by smashing his own world 800m record at the AAAs championship in Manchester on Saturday. The 31-year-old set a new record time of one minute, 53.27 seconds in the T46 amputee class.
Crates was working hard at the back of the field at the bell but finished strongly to claim seventh place ahead of 400m hurdler Anthony Borsumato.
"That hurt a lot," said Crates. "The pace was so much quicker and that took its toll."
 |  I think there is more to come as my training is not really geared to this race |
Crates has already been selected on the Great Britain team to compete at the Paralympics in Athens. But the Thurrock Harrier was determined to test his mettle in the able-bodied national championships too.
"I don't want to be here just because I am a Paralympic athlete," said Crates.
"I showed that I was really in the race out there.
"I think there is more to come as my training was not really geared towards this race."
Crates won bronze in the 400m Sydney but looks to be the man to beat in Greece since stepping up in distance.
MMIX
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