Deon Kenzie (Tas) |
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DOB: Mar 1996 | Age: |
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Athlete Profile |
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Classification: T38 BRONZE – 2013 IPC World Championships – T38 1500m |
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Personal Bests |
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800m: 2:02.89 1500m: 4:05.11 |
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Biography |
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Tasmanian young gun Deon Kenzie has been making waves in para-athletics since his international debut at the 2013 IPC World Championships in Lyon, France. But it wasn’t until 2015, when he broke the world record in the 1500m on home turf in Hobart, that he was labelled a future Paralympic gold medallist. Born with cerebral palsy affecting the right side of his body, Deon first started running to improve his fitness for AFL. He soon discovered his natural ability and began training with coach, Mike Gunson, for the 800m and 1500m events in local competitions. Inspired by American Olympic track star, Steve Prefontaine, Deon exceeded his own expectations at the 2013 IPC World Championships, where he crossed for third. He is motivated by Steve’s mantra that “to give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the giftâ€. At the 2015 world championships he won bronze in the 1500m. At the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio, he won silver in the 1500m, just over a second behind gold medallist Abbes Saidi. In his third consecutive, global event he had won his third medal. Deon has compiled an impressive summer of results, including breaking the world record (4:05.11) at the national championships and breaking the Australian 800m record. The Forth local is now working towards running under four minutes in the 1500m, breaking his own world record. To compete at his best, Deon admits to having an unusual pre-competition routine; he warms up one hour beforehand, listens to ‘Best of You’ by the Foo Fighters, and pumps up by hitting his chest or hands together. Off the track, Deon likes to read, hang out with mates, and go to the movies. He hopes to one day own a sportswear company.
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Statistics |