Dorchester at the Paralympics: Paul Blake

 

We are really proud that Paralympian and world champion Paul Blake trained at Dorchester Athletic Club when he was young and is still affiliated with the club. An MBE, Paul is a now retired British athlete who competed in T36 middle-distance events (for people with cerebral palsy). 

 

Paul has a myriad of medals from the biggest competitions including a gold, 2 silvers and a bronze from the Paralympics. He went to the 2012 London Paralympics where he won a silver medal in the 400m T36 and a bronze medal in the 800m T36. He gained two gold medals in the 800m from the 2013 and 2015 World Championships, both in the 800m and a silver in the 400m. But his most glorious moment was probably when Paul won his gold at the 2016 Rio Paralympics in the men’s 400 T36, followed swiftly by a silver in the men’s 800m T36. What an athlete! 

 

In addition, he also had the World Record in the T36 800m (2:08.02) and currently holds the World Record in the 1500m (4:34.42). 

 

Paul only started competing over the 100m competitively in 2014 and won a medal in Swansea after his victory over the distance at the Sainsbury's Anniversary Games prior to the championships. He then followed his 100m success with a silver medal in the 400m in south Wales. 

 

At the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships held in Doha, Paul was given the role of co-captain for the Great Britain team along with sprinter Laura Sugar. He successfully defended his 800m World title with a win over Russian rival Artyom Arefyev and added a silver in the 400m. 

 

Paul was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to athletics. 

 

Finishing on a high Paul won Gold for 800m at the 2019 Athletics World Championships held in Dubai, before announcing his retirement from athletics in January 2020.