Bermuda wheelchair sprinter Jessica Lewis gets World number one ranking

Bermudian wheelchair sprinter Jessica Lewis holds the world No 1 ranking in the women’s T53 100 meters after recording the fastest time over that distance this season, media here reported on Monday.

Lewis, 25, won the 100 with the season’s fastest time of 16.77 seconds at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Nottwil, Switzerland, last month. She also claimed a silver medal in the 200 after clocking 31.03 before placing seventh in the 800 in 2:07.76.

Lewis, who recently graduated from Brock University in St Catharines, Ontario, Canada, is one of only three sprinters to finish under 17 seconds this season.

“On your marks. Set. Go. Don’t ever feel like all of your hard work towards a dream isn’t worth it,” Lewis wrote on her social media site. “There will be frustrating days and setbacks but through persevering I promise you will get there.

“Truly humbled and excited to currently be holding the world leading time in the T53 100m event so far in 2018.

“Competing against such incredible athletes is an amazing opportunity I don’t take for granted and I am excited for the competitions to come as we are a very close competitive class,” she added.