Low Leaps To Glory With a World Record Jump

When Vanessa Low stood atop the podium tonight in Tokyo, it was a familiar scene after winning gold in Rio, but never before had she sung "Ádvance Australia Fair'' at the pinnacle event, wearing her adopted country's colours as she was crowned Paralympic champion for the second time.

With the world record, and a Paralympic gold and silver to her name, German-born Low was the outright favourite to take out the Women's Long Jump T61-63, but the triple Paralympian surpassed all expectations when she broke her own world record three times to claim back-to-back gold.

Low, who became an Australian citizen in 2018 after marrying fellow Australian teammate Scott Reardon, began her defence early into competition, leaping to 5.16m on her second attempt. Twice more did she break her world record, when on her final two jumps, she registered 5.20m and 5.28m. Her final jump was 14cm further than Italy's Martina Caironi who placed second, and most impressively 60cm further than the leap that won her Rio gold for her native Germany.

The only female athlete with two above knee amputations in the entire Paralympic track and field competition, Low said the victory was particularly emotional as she reflected on the previous five years.

"It is a special one. Rio was my first gold at the Games, but to be here alongside my husband, I'm grateful for the opportunity," Low said.

“Happiness is only real when shared. Being able to share it with Scott makes it more special than my last one. Every medal is special, every Games is special but when you’re with the person you love, that is very special.

"I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. He is the embodiment of resilience. There were some tough times in the last few years, but he was the one that made me believe that this was possible. We support each other, and take the good with the bad."

Reardon led the Australian cheer squad from the stands dotingly said: "I probably cried more in the last 20 minutes than what I have for years. This is the culmination of so many years and hard work and dedication. She sat out of competition for years so she could wear the green and gold. When she walked to the call room tonight, she said this was going to be for us. I'm so proud."

The oldest athlete on the Australian Para-athletics Team, 50-year-old Maria Strong (John Eden) made a stunning Paralympic debut in the seated shot put F33, securing the bronze medal with a 6.63m put. While she ultimately finished on the podium, the end of competition suggested otherwise. Strong was in fourth place at the conclusion of the event, with Algeria’s Amahane Boudjadar (7.10), Quian Zao from China and Morrocan El Kassiou making up the podium. Following the competition, Algeria submitted a protest against Zao for an illegal throw which was upheld. As a result, Strong stepped up for the bronze – her highest ever result at a major championships.

Six-time Paralympian Angie Ballard (Fred Periac) placed fourth in the 400m T53 - a tremendous effort for her 23rd Paralympic Games final. The sixth fastest athlete coming in to the final, Ballard impressed throughout the lap around the track, and despite the wet conditions, was looking likely to place amongst the top three until the final 50m of the race. Ballard clocked 57.61, missing the podium by 0.32 seconds.

The placing was her highest from three events at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, and one she is most proud of given the up-and-down nature of the past Games cycle, which included a move to Canberra and significant time out of competition due to COVID.

"Fourth is huge for me. Everyone has had a tough time lately and after Rio I was prepared for the hard stuff and another great four years. I've learned that different hard stuff can come at you - it's been pretty horrible some of the years, but I still love what I do.

"So coming here and getting a bit closer to where I was both in terms of the world and my joy for racing has just been huge. It makes me both hungry and excited that this is where I'm at."

Coming back to the track for her preferred event, Eliza Ault-Connell (Fred Periac) placed seventh in the 400m T54, crossing the line in 56.54, after scraping through to the final as the slowest non-automatic qualifier in the heats earlier in the day. The race was her second Paralympic final in two nights, highlighting the leaps and bounds she's made since making her comeback to the sport in 2018 after 10 years away.

Ault Connell still has the marathon to come on Sunday, with the self proclaimed "distance girl" stating:

"Look it was a pretty wet and soggy one out there tonight. The fact that the girls were able to go as fast as they did is so incredible," the 39-year-old said.

"I'm very much looking forward to Sunday though, that's the big one. We'll try and get a nice recovery roll in, get the body as prepared as we possibly can, I'll eat well and I'll sleep well.

Competition resumes tomorrow morning with Guy Henly in the Discus F37, while wheelchair racers Sam McIntish and Rheed McCracken will race for a spot in the 800m T34 final. James Turner will compete for a second gold in the 100m T36 at night.

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 2/9/2021