By James Crook

David PrinceJune 15 - London 2012 400 metres bronze medallist David Prince brightened up proceedings at the US Paralympic Championships in San Antonio, Texas, by setting a world record of 22.47sec in the T44 200m just 12 hours after the race was suspended due to severe weather conditions.

When the storm clouds from yesterday had finally cleared, Prince put in a stunning performance ahead of next month's International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Championships in Lyon, snatching the world record by two-tenths of a second from South Africa's Arnu Fourie, who had set the mark at London 2012.

And Prince believes that his link-up with Beijing 2008 double gold medallist LaShawn Merritt of the United States and London 2012 Olympic Games gold medallist Demetrius Pinder of the Bahamas has had a significant impact on his performances.

"It has been fantastic," Prince said of training with the Olympic champions.

"I've learned a lot about how to be patient, how to train correct so it's been great.

"Training with LaShawn Merritt, Demetrius Pinder and those guys has been really motivating.

"It has been really good to get out here and run."

Pistorius Prince  London 2012 medalsPrince took bronze in the T44 400m at London 2012, finishing behind compatriot Blake Leeper and Oscar Pistorius

The 29-year-old had to have his leg amputated following a motorcycle accident in 2002, but he insists that his training regime is identical to that of his able-bodied training partners.

"There is absolutely no difference," he said.

"We do the same thing.

"We do the same warm-up, the same exercises.

"We have to modify some things just a little bit but really it is the exact same.

"Coaches are finding out that it is actually pretty easy because we all work really, really, really hard. We don't play."

Prince, who also holds the T44 400m world record, is almost certain to be selected for the USA's delegation that will head to Lyon next month for the International Paralympic Commitee (IPC) World Championships.

The USA squad will be announced on Tuesday (June 18).

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