Burian’s Bid for Gold and Glory | Day Five World Para Athletics Championships

World record holder Michal Burian will lead Australia’s hunt for medals on Day Five of the World Para Athletics Championships looking to go one better than his Paralympic silver from Tokyo, while a trio of sprinters aim to ignite the home straight.

The first time Czech-born Burian (VIC, Nick Baltas) represented his adoptive country, tears flowed as he draped himself in the Australian flag en route to collecting Paralympic silver two years ago in Tokyo. It’s a feeling the 31-year-old hopes to emulate today as he gets ready to unleash the javelin once again in the F64 competition.

“I have just been obsessed with throwing things since I was little. When you can throw a perfect javelin and see how it flies, it’s a great feeling,” Burian said.

“I didn’t expect such a success at my first big competition. It was massive and coming into the World Championships it feels a little bit easier. Considering all the big boys there, I had to get stronger and put some muscle on, which has happened – I have achieved that.”

Obsessed with athletics from a young age, Burian first fell in love with javelin when he watched Olympic champion Jan Zelzeny participating at his local club in the Czech Republic. By 18, he was selected for his first national team as an able-bodied athlete but was soon told that his disability, Club Foot, would inhibit him from progressing in the sport.

Fast forward more than a decade, Burian will hit the javelin runway in Australian colours for the second time as the F44 world record holder competes in the combined F64 class, an event for athletes with affected mobility in one or both limbs.

“It’s not like you can do anything about your competitors, so I just go out there and focus on improving my personal best. The plan is to throw a new world record and beat the other guys – to win the competition,” Burian said.

Burian’s bid for gold will see him square off with his fiercest competitors including reigning Paralympic champion Sumit Antil of India, who sports a lifetime best of 70.17m as an F64 athlete. Antil’s countryman and former world record holder Sandeep Choudhary also presents as a threat having thrown just shy of Burian’s 66.29m with his career best of 66.18m.

A trio of wheelchair racers will sprint down the home straight, led by Paralympic silver medallist Rheed McCracken (NSW, Louise Sauvage) who eyes off the gold medal that has eluded his 12-year representative career. With minor medals from every major championships since London 2012, the Bundaberg product faces his biggest threat in world record holder Walid Ktila (Tunisia). Until yesterday, Ktila was untouched at major championships putting gold in sight, but for McCracken to be adorned with gold, he’ll need to come near or surpass his personal best of 14.79. Should McCracken advance from his heat, he will need to quickly refocus for his final later in the evening.

Australia will go in with a two-pronged attack in the 100m T34 as three-time Paralympian Rosemary Little (NSW, Blanche Herbert) and teenager Sarah Clifton-Bligh (NSW, Louise Sauvage) both take lanes across two heats. Young gun Clifton-Bligh has clocked sub-22 times this year and will be leaning on her experience in placing fifth at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games to buoy her through same day heats and finals, while Little will be looking to rebuild on her form that saw take the bronze at the London 2012 Paralympics.

Commonwealth bronze medallist Jake Lappin (ACT, Fred Periac) makes his first appearance in Paris in the 1500m T54 alongside compatriot Samuel Rizzo (VIC, Richard Colman). The Australian record holder in T54 events from 100-800m, Lappin has his sights not only set on a spot in the final but edging closer to Paralympic legend Kurt Fearnley’s 2:54.75 record set over 10 years ago, with the 30-year-old’s career-best standing at 2:57.72.

After earning his position in the Men’s 5000m T54 final, Rizzo is back and ready for another chance at glory. With a career best of 2:59.16 produced in May, a second finals berth is on the cards.

The youngest athlete on the Australian team Angus Hincksman (SA, Simon Moran) launched his career to a promising start yesterday, with the 17-year-old qualifying for the 400m T38 final with a run of 55.30. One of only three Australians in history to shatter four-minutes for 1500m, Hincksman’s preparation has been geared towards the 1500m T38 on the final day of the program, refining his speed in today’s 400m T38 Final.

The World Para Athletics Championships are being broadcast live and free on the Nine Network’s digital platform, 9Now. Full start lists and results can be found HERE.

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 13/7/2023