The Paralympic Games will come to an end this Sunday but there have been plenty of Aussies making us proud with some incredibly inspiring performances so far. So how are our own local Paralympians going in Tokyo? Find out below….
Para-cycling: Competing in her second Paralympics, Penrith-born cyclist Amanda Reid won Gold in the Women’s C1-3 500m Time Trial event in Tokyo. The 24-year-old cyclist, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, finished ahead of Alyda Norbruis from The Netherlands and Wangwei Qian from China.
Para-rowing: Erskine Park’s Erik Horrie secured a Silver medal in the PR1 Men’s Single Sculls last Sunday with a time of 10:00.82. It was the 41-year-old’s third consecutive Silver medal in the same event, having finished second in both the Rio and London Games. In a challenging head wind, Horrie produced a patient but tactically strong race, holding his line and trusting that he had the power in the end to pull ahead of Brazil’s Rene Campos Pereira. Ukrainian Roman Polianskyi, who went into the race as heavy favourite, won Gold. Horrie, who became a paraplegic following a car accident, said he’s a chance to return for his fourth Games in Paris in 2024.
Erik Horrie, take a bow 👏
The Aussie becomes the first man to win three #Paralympics medals in #ParaRowing 🥈#Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/pMZAiGwjzh
— 7Sport (@7Sport) August 29, 2021
Swimming: Penrith-born swimmer Paige Leonhardt has picked up two Silver medals in the pool. The 20-year-old, who was competing at her second Paralympics, secured Silver in the Women’s 100m Butterfly – S14 Final and the Women’s 100m Breaststroke – SB14 Final. Leonhardt, who currently resides and trains in Brisbane, lives with Cerebral Palsy following a car accident at age five.
Para-athletics: Penrith-born runner James Turner has won Gold in the Men’s 400m – T36 Final. Competing in his second Paralympics, the 25-year-old with Cerebral Palsy set a new Games record with a time of 52.80 seconds. This is Turner’s second Paralympics Gold Medal after finishing first in the Men’s 800m in Rio.
GOOOLLLDDD!!
James Turner torches the field and breaks a Paralympic Record with 52.80!#Tokyo2020 | #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/mouPTpZG8O
— 7Sport (@7Sport) August 31, 2021
Para-archery: Penrith-born archer and local resident Jonathon Milne has missed out on a medal in the Individual Compound event. Despite picking up Bronze in Rio, the 35-year-old Tetraplegic finished way outside the medals in 17th place.
Wheelchair Rugby: Competing in his first Paralympics, Penrith-born Wheelchair Rugby player Richard Voris and his Australian Steelers teammates have failed to win a Paralympic medal for the first time since 2004. The two-time defending Paralympics gold medallists were no match for host nation Japan last Sunday, torched 60-52 in their Bronze medal match. “We never should have lost by this much – never. We’re a better team than that,” 30-year-old Voris said after the game.
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender’s Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.
