HARROW are the new London Panathlon champions after pupils from three schools fought off competition from four other London boroughs in a dramatic finale.

It was Harrow’s first victory from five appearances at the London Finals, overcoming a strong challenge from teams representing Newham, defending champions Croydon and first-time finalists Enfield and Islington.

With triple Paralympic medallist and Panathlon ambassador Liz Johnson looking on, the students from Shaftesbury, Whitmore and Kingsley High Schools clinched victory in the last event of a dramatic day at the Westway Sports Centre.

Adam Kielczyk, teacher at Shaftesbury School said: “It’s great. It’s taken four years but we got there. Finishing second or third in the past was brilliant, but first? It’s amazing. The children have loved it. There are loads of smiling faces. I think this is the biggest achievement for them.”

Harrow won the multi-sport contest courtesy of first place finishes in three events – boccia, table cricket and the athletics relay races – and four second places.

Panathlon is a charity which provides multi-sport competition for more than 3,000 disabled children each year, predominantly across London and the south-east.

An amazing 125 schools from all 32 London boroughs have been involved in 2013, with 12,500 active hours of sport already provided to disabled children.

Team GB star Johnson said: “It’s been a great day. The kids loved it and it was so competitive. As regional winners already, they all really wanted to win the big one. Their skills have developed, their application, they’ve learned so much clearly. I definitely saw a big difference today.

“Panathlon allows people who would never be able to access sport to do so. I think sport can teach you so much and empower you in other walks of life and everyone deserves that right.”

The Panathlon Foundation has been delivering competitive opportunities for young disabled people since 1999.

It has invested more than £250,000 in sports equipment and coaching funds across London, and 17 other counties since October 2012.