Burian in his Paralympic Bronze Era | Day Four

A mix of experience and youth led the charge for the Australian team at the Paralympic Games overnight, with three-time global medallist Michal Burian achieving a bronze medal, while 16-year-old Telaya Blacksmith makes history as Australia’s first woman to compete at a Paralympic Games in the 400m T20, with an area record to match.

Backing up his Tokyo silver, Michal Burian (VIC, Nick Baltas) added another medal to Australia’s growing collection, with the Czech native launching the spear to 64.89m in the Javelin F64 to bring home bronze.

As an F44 athlete in a mixed class, Burian’s let loose on his first attempt, dropping 63.78m to  automatically put him into medal contention, but it was his second attempt that solidified him as one of the world’s best once more.

Indian powerhouse Sumit successfully defended his gold with a Paralympic record of 70.59m, while Sri Lankan Dulan Kodithuwakku secured the F44 world record of 67.03m to push Burian to bronze and claim silver.

Despite leaving Stade de France with a season’s best, Burian couldn’t help but reflect on his Tokyo highlight – a world record and silver medal to match.

“It’s a Paralympic medal so I can’t complain about it but I had so much more in the tank. It wasn’t the performance I wanted or the performance I expected,” he said.

"The preparation was great. I feel a little bit like I let down my team because it wasn't just my work. I need to let it sink in because I was hoping for more."

Proud Warlpiri woman Telaya Blacksmith (VIC, Jacinta Doyle and Anula Costa) proved she is made of grit, making not just her Paralympic debut but her Australian team debut with an Area Record to match.

Executing her race plan in style, the Victorian made history as the first Australian woman to contest the 400m T20 and the first to dip under the 58-second barrier over a lap of the track, when clocking 57.96 in Heat 2, to achieve the second fastest non-automatic qualifier for the final.

"I was very nervous, very excited. It was an amazing experience - I'm so happy I'm here," Blacksmith said.

"The stadium was so big and loud. I didn't know how I did it because I'm sure I used up all my adrenalin. And I thought I hadn't made it but they told me I had.

"At such a young age, I now feel like I can achieve anything if I work hard - it's not impossible."

Madison de Rozario (NSW, Louise Sauvage) was in cruise control of her third race of Paris 2024, making light work of the 1500m T54 heat, where she crossed the line second in 3:20.09. Having won bronze in the event in Tokyo, de Rozario has set herself up for success and will use the confidence from her series of strong performances in Paris to set herself up for Paralympic number eight.

“It’s not my pet event (1500m) but it felt really good,” de Rozario said, explaining why it’s better to do the longer distance first, then the 3.3-lap race before Sunday’s Marathon. 

“There is a benefit in having the 5K as far away from the marathon as possible because it’s a fatiguing event. Having said that, starting with the 5K on Day 1 was pretty brutal."

With a history of success at the Paralympic Games, Rheed McCracken (NSW, Louise Sauvage) had great expectations for the 100m T34, but wheeled off the track in fourth place.

Despite a slow start which cost him his sixth Paralympic medal, the boy from Bundaberg showed off his acceleration to place fourth in a season’s best time of 15.31 (-0.8).

“Ah yeah, that’s sport isn’t it,” McCracken contemplated. “There was too much to make up at the start, but the back end of that race was fine. It is what it is.”

“I was quicker than yesterday, but it is what it is. You have to be able to execute on the day.”

Rounding out Day Four of the Para Athletics competition at Stade de France was Australian record holder in the 1500m T54, Samuel Rizzo (VIC, Richard Colman) who clocked 3:02.92 in his heat, but missed out on advancing to the final. Rizzo will compete once more at these Paralympic Games in the 800m T54.

The Paralympic Games will continue tomorrow from 6pm AEST, with Jaryd Clifford entering the stadium in the 1500m T13, while reigning Paralympic champions James Turner and Madison de Rozario go for gold.

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 3/9/2024