Blake Leeper Shatters T43 400-Meter World Record in Prague

By Adam Kopet

Four Americans had big days at Monday's Josef Odlozil Memorial in Prague, according to an IAAF recap by Jon Mulkeen.

Patrick "Blake" Leeper, a two-time Paralympic medalist, shattered the world record for the T43 400 meters. Leeper ran 44.42, beating three-time IAAF World Indoor champion Pavel Maslak by more than a second, setting a meet record in the process.

Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting to hear this number...44.42!!!!! Obviously just the beginning but couldn’t have gotten to this point without all of the support from everyone who believes in this vision 🙏🏿🙌🏿 Headed home with another dub and another world record!!! pic.twitter.com/isOae1NY2v

— Blake Leeper (@Blake_Leeper) June 4, 2018

Earlier this season, Leeper broke Oscar Pistorious' 400-meter world record (45.07) at the Mt. SAC Relays, running 45.05. You can watch Leeper's Mt. SAC Relays race at USATF.TV.

Also in the sprints, Mike Rodgers won the 100 meters in 9.92 to set a new world lead. He won by over a tenth of a second and broke the meet record.

In the infield, Ryan Crouser produced another winning throw over 73 feet, breaking the meet record with a put of 73-2.50 (22.31m). Crouser now has thrown over 22 meters 37 times in his career, just two behind Ulf Timmermann, the second-farthest shot putter in history.

.@RCrouserThrows now has 37 throws of 22m or farther (all within 2yr span!). Closing in on record tally.

22+ throws | Name | Span
--
39 Timmerman (5)
37 @RCrouserThrows (2)
21 Gunthor (5)
20 @Cwell2strong4u (8)
19 Barnes (9)
14 Beyer (10)
13 @TomWalshSP (2)
13 @AdamMcNelson (11)

— Jon Mulkeen (@Statman_Jon) June 4, 2018

Georganne Moline broke the meet record in the 400-meter hurdles, running 54.05. It was her second straight win after she won at the Rome Golden Gala Diamond League meeting last week.