Jong, Floors set records in Leverkusen; McFadden, Kashafali shine at Pre Classic

It was a thrilling weekend for Para athletics with some of the world’s best delivering standout performances in Germany and the United States.

Dutch star Fleur Jong and German sprinter Johannes Floors both set new world records at the Para Leichtathletik Heimspiel in Leverkusen. Meanwhile, Paralympic medallists Orla Comerford, Olivier Hendriks, Salum Kashafali and Tatyana McFadden claimed victories at the 50th edition of the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon – one of the most prestigious track and field meets in the world, also known as the Eugene Diamond League.

Three-time Paralympic gold medallist Jong improved her own world record in the women’s 100m T62, clocking 12.19 – 0.12 faster than her previous best set just a month earlier at the Paris World Para Athletics Grand Prix. She is enjoying a stellar season, having also extended her women’s long jump T62 world record to 6.86m at June’s Golden Roof Challenge in Innsbruck, Austria.

Bayer Leverkusen, a club renowned for its football team, is also home to one of Europe’s strongest Para athletics squads. Among its stars is Floors, who thrilled the home crowd by setting a new world record in the men’s 200m T62 with a time of 20.29 – shaving 0.04 off his previous mark set over three years ago.

Paralympic legend and local hero Markus Rehm (T64) won the men’s long jump with 8.36m. Paris 2024 silver medallist in the men’s javelin F46, India’s Ajeet Singh took home gold in his event. A world champion at Paris 2023 he will be aiming for a second world title in front of the home crowd at the upcoming World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi this September.

McFadden delights crowd

Across the Atlantic in Eugene, the Diamond League/Pre Classic featured four Para athletics as part of a packed 30-event programme that included 98 Olympic and Paralympic medallists.

Twenty-two-time Paralympic medallist Tatyana McFadden delighted the home crowd with a victory in the women’s 800m T54, finishing in 1:46.89. Belgium’s Lea Bayekula came second (1:47.66) with fellow USA wheelchair racer Hannah Dederick third (1:50.61).

Zuvor lief Fleur Jong aus den Niederlanden ebenfalls zu einem neuen Weltrekord über 100 m auf der Gegengerade des Stadions am Moosweg – mit 12,19 Sekunden. pic.twitter.com/PacekoQn8H — TSV Bayer 04 (@tsv_bayer_04) July 7, 2025

Ireland’s Orla Comerford and Norway’s Salum Kashafali successfully defended their titles in the women’s and men’s 100m multiclass races, respectively. Comerford clocked 12.14, finishing ahead of the USA’s Brittni Mason (12.40) and New Zealand’s Anna Grimaldi (12.41).

"It's a real honour and I hope it's not my last time here. It's a great, great crowd and a great audience. Everyone at Pre just puts on a real spectacular show and it's a privilege to be a part of it,” said Comerford, the Paris 2024 bronze medallist in the women’s 100m T13.

In the men’s 100m mixed class event, five of the eight athletes ran under 11 seconds. Kashafali took the win in 10.61, followed by USA sprinters and Paris 2024 champions Noah Malone (10.70) and Jaydin Blackwell (10.74).

"It's a big win, especially when I race against Noah Malone, he's one of the hardest competitors in the sport. So it's a big win, I'm happy for it," said the Norwegian.

In the men’s 200m T62/T64, Olivier Hendriks of the Netherlands took home the win, followed by home favourite Hunter Woodhall (21.51) and Costa Rica’s Sherman Guity (21.63).

Click here for complete results from the Pre Classic and here for all results from the Para Leichtathletik Heimspiel.

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