Australian Para Athletics Team gears up for final push for Parisian glory

Team Australia is poised to make their final day at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships one to remember, as a blend of youthful talent and seasoned experience get ready to leave their mark on the French capital just over a year out from the 2024 Paralympic Games.

Spearheading the action on Day Nine of competition will be three of Australia’s top distance athletes in former world champion Deon Kenzie (TAS), Reece Langdon (VIC) and Angus Hincksman (SA) in the 1500m T38.

As the only three Australians with cerebral palsy to have shattered the four-minute barrier over the distance, the trio pose as a true threat to the 13-strong field. But not even Langdon, as the fastest of the three at 3:52.19, can rest on his laurels, with Canadian Nate Riech spearheading the field, with a world record whittled down to 3:47.89.

“It’s pretty cool to be able to share the achievement with the two other Australians, especially because we’ve been on training camps in the past together,” Langdon said.

“My goal is to go out there and wear the green and gold with pride. I will do my absolute best to push for that gold medal, it has been a childhood dream of mine. I just want to make Australia and myself proud.”

The three Australians and Riech are the only four men in the field to have busted through the barrier.

The middle distance action will roll on as debutant Daniel Milone (VIC, Gavin Burren) becomes just the fourth Australian male to toe the line in the 1500m T20 at a world championships and the first since 2011. Over the past two years Milone has lowered his mark from 4:19 to 4:01.82, and although he was selected as a development athlete, the 20-year-old is set to thrive under the lights of Charlety Stadium.

Australian record holder Samantha Schmidt (QLD, Ralph Newton) steps up for her second major championships in the Discus F38. Placing sixth at the Tokyo Games with a throw of 30.26m, the proud Wakawaka and Gubbi Gubbi woman has now extended her career-best to 34.26m in March this year lifting her chances for her breakthrough medal. Alongside Schmidt will be countrywoman and the youngest female on the team, Ella Hose (VIC, Gus Puopolo) who returns to the field after placing fourth in the Shot Put 37.

After a brilliant Australian domestic season which saw him dip under the 11-second barrier for the first time and break the T47 record on four occasions, Commonwealth silver medallist Jaydon Page (ACT, Sebastian Kuzminski) will be hot on his heels in the 100m. With two major championships now under his belt, the 19-year-old is will be looking to break his 10.87 record once more and progress through to the finals; a feat he was unable to achieve two years ago at the Tokyo Paralympics.

Rhiannon Clarke (WA, Danny Kevan) has a pair of fourth-place finishes to her name at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships but will be eager to go one better in the 400m T38. The teenager is aiming to close her sprint triple with a medal.

Rheed McCracken (NSW, Louise Sauvage) will gear up for his sixth race of the championships when taking to the 800m T34 Final, having advanced from the heats in 1:42.86 as a non-automatic qualifier. McCracken will be out to better his pair of eighth-place finals appearances this week.

The Australian action is set to commence at 5.15pm AEST, and can be viewed live and free on Nine’s digital platform, 9Now.

By Sascha Ryner and Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 17/7/2023