Defying limits and redefining greatness | Vanessa Low

As Vanessa Low prepares for the Paralympic Games, the defending champion is not just aiming to defend her titles – she is set on raising the bar once again, driven by a relentless determination and a purpose that reaches far beyond the track.

Three-time Paralympian Low has recently soared to an unprecedented 5.52m, unofficially shattering her own world record, adding 19-centimetres to her best ever jump. With the Tokyo and Rio gold medals already gleaming in her collection, Low stands on the cusp of history, poised to capture the three-peat.  

As she balances the wisdom that comes with experience and her unyielding drive, Low isn’t just competing – she’s rewriting the limits of what most believe is possible.

“Honestly, this has been a build over a long period of time and a culmination of a lot of years,” Low said.

Post pregnancy, Low faced the daunting challenge of returning to elite sport, but with the unwavering support of her team, which includes her husband and coach Scott Reardon, she didn’t just return – she soared.

“My body has responded amazingly. The team did a great job of managing the load to ensure that I returned to sport safely first and foremost.”

Low’s journey back to the top has been nothing short of a masterclass in resilience and strategy. Together with her strength and conditioning coach, she identified key areas for improvement, targeting them with laser focus – and on the track, the adjustments have translated to tangible results.

“It’s been more of a confidence thing; we made some small changes, and the distances have been getting better and better. It’s so satisfying to see what’s been happening in training finally transfer to competition.”

As the German-born star gears up for Paris, she remains acutely aware of the challenges that lie ahead. Despite her dominant form, Low knows that in the world of elite sport, nothing is guaranteed.

“I can’t get complacent; there have been some big jumps from the other girls this year too,” she says with a grounded perspective that speaks to her years of experience.

“But I’m in such a great spot right now, and this competition feels different from the past.”

This time, there is added significance, with Reardon by her side along with her young son Matteo in the stands.

“To have Matteo there, and Scott as my coach – it would be a special moment. I’ve got 25 people coming to watch, and I was told by someone the other day, someone I don’t even know, that they’re coming to the Games just to watch me—that’s pretty cool.”

Where once her drive was fueled by a desire to prove herself, Low concedes her career is about something much bigger. Reflecting on her path, she acknowledges the profound shift in her motivations.

“In the beginning, it was all about proving to myself that I could do it—pushing my limits and striving for personal bests,” she shares. “But as I’ve grown as an athlete, it’s become so much more than that.

“Competing on this level allows me to inspire others, especially those who might feel limited by circumstances, to pursue their passions and goals. Every jump now feels like a chance to make an impact, to be a role model, and to show what’s possible when you refuse to give up.”

As she looks ahead, Low’s ambitions remain as lofty as ever. Although she once contemplated retirement after Tokyo to focus on her family, her passion for the sport has only intensified.

Inspired by trailblazers like Alison Felix, who returned to peak performance after becoming a mother, Low is determined to push the boundaries even further.

“Why not have both?” she challenges, embodying the spirit of a true competitor who refuses to be confined by conventional expectations. “With how things are going at the moment, we’re aiming for another big milestone—the six-metre mark.”

As Vanessa Low prepares to take flight once more, she does so with a heart full of gratitude and a resolve as unshakeable as ever. She knows that while she may be the one leaping into history, she’s doing it with the love and support of a team that has been with her every step of the way.

“None of this would be possible without them,” she says.

And when she steps into Stade de France next week, she’ll be jumping not just for herself, but for everyone who has ever dared to believe that the impossible is within reach.

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 22/8/2024