British teenager Jonnie Peacock sealed his s
tatus as the fastest amputee in the world by upstaging Oscar Pistorius in the biggest race of the Paralympics on Thursday night.
The 19-year-old from Cambridge showed no regard for reputations as he stormed away from the field to win in 10.90 seconds, a new Paralympic record.
He came into the Games as the T44 world record holder but inexperienced on the big stage, but proved he can more than handle the occasion.
Only American Richard Browne could get close to the Briton, claiming silver in 11.03secs.
Pistorius, the defending champion, was never in contention, finishing fourth behind fellow South African and room-mate Arnu Fourie, but was quick to embrace Peacock at the finish.
Chants of 'Peacock, Peacock, Peacock' rang around the stadium before the start, which was delayed when Brazilian Alan Fonteles Oliveira appeared to twitch and the field were asked to stand up.
A faulty rather than a false start was the verdict and the added tension did not affect Peacock, who was able to race off on a lap of honour draped in the Union Flag.
Peacock told Channel 4: "It's absolutely surreal. For the past four days, this event being quite late on, you've got these guys going out getting gold and you just want to be part of that.
"This Games is definitely a legacy and to be part of that is amazing."
Pistorius was quick to hail Peacock's gold, telling Channel 4: "What we've seen tonight is the start of an amazing Paralympics sprinter. I've just been watching it on the screen again and it was a great performance. I can't imagine how happy he must be to do this in front of his home crowd. Well done, it's a great time for him. He's still young and he's got a great future ahead of him."
Jonnie Peacock broke the Paralympic record as he claimed gold
The 19-year-old from Cambridge showed no regard for reputations as he stormed away from the field to win in 10.90 seconds, a new Paralympic record.
He came into the Games as the T44 world record holder but inexperienced on the big stage, but proved he can more than handle the occasion.
Only American Richard Browne could get close to the Briton, claiming silver in 11.03secs.
Pistorius, the defending champion, was never in contention, finishing fourth behind fellow South African and room-mate Arnu Fourie, but was quick to embrace Peacock at the finish.
Chants of 'Peacock, Peacock, Peacock' rang around the stadium before the start, which was delayed when Brazilian Alan Fonteles Oliveira appeared to twitch and the field were asked to stand up.
A faulty rather than a false start was the verdict and the added tension did not affect Peacock, who was able to race off on a lap of honour draped in the Union Flag.
Peacock told Channel 4: "It's absolutely surreal. For the past four days, this event being quite late on, you've got these guys going out getting gold and you just want to be part of that.
"This Games is definitely a legacy and to be part of that is amazing."
Pistorius was quick to hail Peacock's gold, telling Channel 4: "What we've seen tonight is the start of an amazing Paralympics sprinter. I've just been watching it on the screen again and it was a great performance. I can't imagine how happy he must be to do this in front of his home crowd. Well done, it's a great time for him. He's still young and he's got a great future ahead of him."
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