Margin of Milliseconds Fuels Perris in Paris | World Para Athletics Championships Day Four

One hundredth of a second was all that stood between Chad Perris and bronze on Day Four of the World Para Athletics Championships, but it was one hundredth of a second that allowed his class and character to shine as he led the way for the nation’s rising stars.

In a bid for his fourth consecutive world medal, Perris (ACT, Matt Beckenham) charged to a 10.87-second (-0.7) showing to finish in fourth place of the 100m T13 Final behind Thailand’s Jakkarim Dammunee (10.86), but the blanket finish was not without drama.

“I crossed the line and was told I won bronze and celebrated. I had the flag out and then was told that it was fourth after all so that’s probably the most disappointing bit,” Perris said.

“It’s really tough but there was a medal left for the taking and when I look back on the journey of the last 18 months I am really happy with where I’ve gone with my coach Matt Beckenham and we really have really enjoyed this time. I think this is going to spur me on for Paris next year,” Perris said.

As Australian hearts sank, the man at the centre of the heartbreak delivered a dose of perspective:

“This season has been incredibly successful. I’ve run the fastest I’ve ever run this season and had just about more fun than ever. I’ll continue doing that in the lead up to World Championships next year and onto Paris in September.”

Following in Perris’ footsteps down the straight, 18-year-old Abby Craswell (QLD, Andrew Craswell) raced to sixth place in the 100m T36 when stopping the clock in 15.15 (+1.3), followed by 19-year-old teammate Mali Lovell (NSW, Katie Edwards & Melinda Gainsford-Taylor) in 15.17 for seventh place.

The debutant duo ran with freedom after advancing from yesterday’s heats, now turning their attention to the 200m T36 heats grinning from ear to ear.

“It was a great experience. It’s amazing to be out there with the best and I’m looking forward to keeping on running, it has been such a privilege to represent Australia. It has been a new experience and a new opportunity, overwhelming at times, but I’m looking forward to more,” Craswell said.

Dayna Crees (VIC, Gordon Talbot) continued to relish her first time rubbing shoulders with the world’s best, delivering a 6.26m effort to claim sixth place in the Shot Put F34 – backing up yesterday’s fourth-place finish in the Javelin F34. Mustering the personal best in the fifth-round, Crees’ results have only stoked the Paralympic fire that has been burning within her for years.

“It’s been amazing! It’s an honour to wear the green and gold, and I had fun which is all that matters,” Crees said. 

“Yesterday’s throw in the javelin made me realise how close I am to being with the best, I was only six centimetres off the bronze medal. I am really excited to see what will happen next, to make the Paralympics would make all my dreams come true – it would be the best thing ever.”

Making his international debut, Australia’s youngest team member Angus Hincksman (SA, Simon Moran) safely navigated the first round of the 400m T38, clocking a personal best of 55.30 to open his account on the world stage. The 17-year-old middle-distance runner advances ranked seventh in the tomorrow’s final field of eight, before focussing on his favoured 1500m T38.

Samuel McIntosh (VIC, Fred Periac) pushed with heart in Heat 2 of the 400m T52 to open his campaign in a time of 1:06.80 at World Para Championships number five, with the 100m T52 to come. 

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 Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 13/7/2023