BRONZE for Beattie & Ballard

Australia’s athletics section is on the board at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, with Angela Ballard (NSW) and Carlee Beattie (Qld) both winning bronze on day one of track and field.

Competing in the first race of her five event schedule, Ballard delivered the first green and gold medal when she clocked 16.59 for third in the women’s T53 wheelchair 100m behind a quintet of Chinese starters including winner Lisha Huang (CHN). The dual world champion from Doha 2015 will also compete in the 400m, 800m, 1500m and 4x400m relay, with her sights set on a maiden Paralympic title from five starts at the Games.

Soaring 5.57m in the penultimate round of the women’s F45/46/47 long jump for athletes with an arm deficiency, Beattie’s podium finish sits alongside the silver she won at London 2012 four years ago. Beattie was edged out for gold by friendly rival Anna Grimaldi (NZL), who jumped a personal best of 5.62m to win the Paralympic crown.

It's #Bronze for Angie Ballard in the final of the Women's 100m T53, a great start to her 5th games https://t.co/YD0yN5vEt5

— 7TWO (@7TWOAU) September 8, 2016

Aussie Carlee Beattie finishes with a #Bronze in the Women's Long Jump T47, on her birthday no less! #Athletics https://t.co/A8k5fE3gh3

— 7TWO (@7TWOAU) September 8, 2016

Joining Ballard and Beattie on start lists for finals on day one was Guy Henly (NSW) and Russell Short (Vic), with Henly placing 4th (51.97m) in the men’s F37 discus throw for athletes with cerebral palsy and eight-time Paralympian Short throwing 15.01m, just 12 centimetres shy of his personal best, for 7th in the F12 visually impaired shot put.

In other highlights, the ‘White Tiger’, Chad Perris, clocked a personal best and Australian record of 10.91 to secure his start in the final of the T13 visually impaired 100m, while Ella Pardy (WA) advanced to the round-of-eight in the women’s T38 100m for athletes with cerebral palsy.

Competition at Rio 2016 continues late this evening AEST, with Perris headlining action in his sprint final. Other Australian highlights include Sarah Walsh (NSW) taking to the runway for the long jump and Kurt Fearnley (NSW) making his maiden track appearance in the T54 wheelchair 5000m rounds.

For more information on the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, please visit the Rio Rumba hub at athletics.com.au.