Finlay Menzies Secures Historic Frame Running Bronze Ahead of Paralympic Debut

British teen Finlay Menzies claims bronze in frame running's championship debut, setting consecutive personal bests while eyeing LA 2028 Paralympic glory in the innovative adaptive sport.

Breakthrough Performance in Adaptive Athletics

Finlay Menzies competing in frame running Credit: World Para Athletics/Getty Images
Edinburgh's rising star Finlay Menzies (19) made history at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, securing bronze in the inaugural 100m T72 frame running final with a blistering 16.29-second performance.

The Race That Made History

  • Italian veteran Carlo Calcagni claimed gold with 15.98s
  • Menzies improved his morning qualifying time by 0.4s in finals
  • Event featured athletes from 12 nations in its global championship debut

Frame Running Explained

This revolutionary discipline enables athletes with coordination impairments like cerebral palsy to compete using a three-wheeled support frame. Key features include:

Component Function
Chest Support Stabilizes upper body
Handlebars Steering and balance control
Freewheel Mechanism Allows full running motion

Road to Paralympic Recognition

With frame running confirmed for LA 2028, Menzies told BBC Sport:

"This medal proves adaptive sports deserve the spotlight. That frame isn't just equipment - it's my freedom to compete at elite level."

The championships continue through October 5, featuring 1,300 athletes from 100 countries. Frame running's inclusion has increased media coverage by 40% compared to previous editions.

Training Regimen Insights

Menzies' preparation involved:

  • Daily resistance training with modified harness systems
  • Video analysis sessions with biomechanics experts
  • Altitude simulation for endurance development

"We're rewriting the playbook for adaptive sprinting," said coach Sarah Wilkinson. "Finlay's technical progress in cornering mechanics made this breakthrough possible."

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