UM Sophomore Dan Andrews wins gold in 400 at parathlete world championships, sets championship record

July 26, 2002

University of Miami sophomore Dan Andrews took the gold in the 400-meterdash Thursday at the IPC Athletics World Championships in Lille, France,setting a new championship record in the process. The victory is Andrews’second gold medal performance at the championships.

Andrews, who runs with a prosthetic leg, recorded a championship record timeof 53.20 seconds in his first place finish in the 400 meters. Wednesday’ssemi-final first place finisher, Australian Neil Fuller, finished second inthe finals, recording 53.30 seconds.

Andrews set an American record in the 400 meters when he finished first atthe Disabled Sports International Challenge in Orlando last May, recording atime of 52.95. That performance, along with his 800-meter world mark of2:08.25 allowed him to qualify for the IPC World Championships.

Last Wednesday, Andrews placed second in the semi-finals, recording aqualifying time of 56.19. Monday, he crossed the finish line in 2:07.18,and continued to solidify his status as the world’s top parathlete sprinter.He dominated the field, shattering his old world mark by 1.07 seconds alongthe way. Fellow American Andrew Lester was second in 2:08.59.

He also is slated to compete as part of U.S. relay unit this week in the4x100 and 4×400-meter relays.