Inside stories

Double world champion Hannah Cockroft broke her own T34 400m world record with a time of 59.99secs at the Sydney Track Classic on Sunday. 

The 21-year-old broke the one-minute barrier for the first time in competition when she finished fourth in a mixed classification event at Sydney's Olympic Park.

Cockroft's previous world best was 1:00.67secs set last month in the Summer Down Under Series in Canberra.

"It's just proving that all the hard work being done is really being put into practice out on the track," said the delighted 19-year-old, who has spent the last two months training in Australia.

"To be breaking world records now is awesome - Hannah Cockroft

"I know that there's still a lot of things that need to be done, and I was pretty annoyed when I got to the end of the race as I felt like I could have given it more.

"But it’s only February and I’m still in winter training mode, so to be breaking world records now is awesome as I know that I’m on the right track to smash up my races at the Paralympics!" 

The race also featured 2007 London Marathon champion Shelly Woods, who finished fourth in her second quickest time ever with 57.28secs.

UK Athletics head coach Peter Eriksson was delighted by the progress made by both Cockroft and Woods during their time down under.

"Their good results have been performed across a number of events even though they're just training through as part of their preparation for the Paralympic Games," he said.

"Hannah’s world record and Shelly’s second best time ever over 400m are a great indication that we're on the right track in our plan for even greater things to come."

Cockroft opens her UK outdoor season in May while Woods will compete in the Virgin London Marathon on 22 April.