Rio Paralympics 2016: Jonnie Peacock warns speed rivals he will not give up his crown without a fight

JONNIE PEACOCK has warned his Paralympic speed rivals: I won’t give up my crown without a fight.

Sprinter Peacock is in defiant mood ahead of the T44 100m final — one of the most hotly-anticipated events of the Rio Games.

The 23-year-old amputee has struggled with injury and form over the past 18 months, even missing the World Championships in Doha last October.

He had problems with the connection between his right leg stump and the carbon fibre blade, causing him to adapt his technique.

This year American Jarryd Wallace has emerged as the leading contender and starts the Games as favourite to win gold.

But London 2012 champion Peacock, who set the year’s best time of 10.68sec two months ago, is ready to strut his stuff again on the biggest stage.

He said: “How determined am I to retain the Paralympic title? I’m pretty determined, don’t worry about that!

“I mentally made a big change towards the end of last year in the way I approach races.

“I know what I need to do now. I lost my way for a bit, to be honest. I found it again. I know what needs to be done.”

He added: “This is a Paralympic year and you know me, I’ll always come out in the big championships.”

The T44 100m heats start tonight, with the final taking place at 11.53pm tomorrow evening.

In the past the T44 class was all about headline act Oscar Pistorius — but the South African Blade Runner is currently in jail for shooting his girlfriend.

In Pistorius’ absence, the event has not suffered at all. In fact, the strength-in-depth of the field has grown considerably over the past four years.

As well as Wallace and Peacock, German Felix Streng is a contender, along with South African Amu Fourie and American Jerome Singleton.

There will be Brazilian interest in pin-up Alan Fonteles Oliveira, the T44 200m champion.