Medal hunt continues in Tokyo

Medals eluded the Australian track and field team tonight at the Paralympic Games, but a series of mixed performances have athletes determined to build on results with just four more days left of their Tokyo campaign.

The 100m T54 brought both elation and devastation to Australian team members, as Sam Carter (Fred Periac) finished fifth in the final, while debutant Luke Bailey (Andrew Dawes) was unable to progress amongst worldwide heavyweights, placing fifth in his heat (14.55). Two-time Paralympian Carter was made to wait until after the heats had finished to be informed of his finals berth. Despite going into the race as the slowest qualifier, his fifth place finish in 14.08 - less than half a second behind first place - shows there is much potential from the 30-year-old.

"That was a very enjoyable final. It's always a buzz to be out for a Paralympic final and the 100m is my favourite. I've had a lot of fun tonight and I had a better race than in the heat so that's good. To be on the podium is a dream but I wasn't unhappy with any part of my race," he said.

"Being at the Paralympics again, every time I'm in the village, I give a mental high five to 10-year-old Sam, who always wished we could get here. We did it and it's amazing. I'd encourage kids with disabilities, if it's something you want to do, get out there and do it. If you work hard, you can do it. It's totally within reach for sure."

Now a three-time Paralympian, Rosemary Little (Karyne Di Marco and Breanne Clement) used her experience to make a mark on a new event - the shot put F32. Formerly a wheelchair racer who won bronze in London, Little made the switch from track to field after spinal surgery caused further damage in 2017, and placed sixth with a new personal best of 6.26m.

Little previous lifetime best was 6.12m set at the Australian Track and Field Championships in April, making this a significant improvement in the early years of her throwing career.

“I didn’t think I’d be here in Tokyo. My track coach suggested I make the switch – that was after my year in hospital rehab 2017-2018 with the spinal tumour – and I really wasn’t that keen,” Little said.

“Perseverance always wins out in the end though. And I don’t necessarily listen to advice from doctors. My neurologist always says if I wasn’t so stubborn I wouldn’t be here.”

Ari Gesini (Sebastian Kuzminski) made an appearance on the track earlier in the week in the 100m T38 heats but leaped 5.89m (0.2) in the Long Jump T38 to place 11th. The result was shy of his personal best, with the 19-year-old admitting the nerves got to him ahead of his pet event.

"It's one of the strangest, most difficult but also the most rewarding days I've ever had. I came into it ready, feeling good, ready to go, but it just wasn't one of my better days performance-wise. I'm still realy proud of myself that I made it here, and I know I'm coming back," he said.

Gesini lost his father Steve just a few short months ago and took with a photo with him to the track in his notebook, so his father could be there with him in spirit.

"I've been thinking about him all week and I brought a little photo of him with me in my book today. It's been a dream of mine since I was six years old to be a Paralympian. It's one of the earliest conversations I remember having with my dad too," he said.

Completing her second event of the schedule was Angie Ballard (Fred Periac) who placed seventh in the 100m T53. Ballard completed a solid race, but a slower start than the medallists meant she could not keep up across the 100m dash. The six-time Paralympian crossed the line in 17.43.

"I'm enjoying parts of the Paralympics. Tokyo has done a great job and I'm healthy and happy, but my racing is not where I want it to be. I wasn't with the girls and there isn't enough time in the 100m to catch up. The 400m tomorrow is my preferred event but I'm going to need a bit more speed," she said.

The final event of the evening saw Eliza Ault-Connell (Fred Periac) make her first appearance at a Paralympic Games in 17 years, after a hiatus to raise a family. Ault-Connell competed at the 2004 Games, and it wasn't until she was watching the last Summer Paralympic Games with her kids that she was inspired to get back in her racing chair. While the 100m is not her main event, with the 400m and marathon still to come, she placed fourth in her heat to become the fastest non-automatic qualifier, but was unable to keep up the momentum, finishing in eighth place in 16.79.

“All I wanted to do was get out there and try to push a nice strong race. It felt strong but it just wasn’t my day and that sometimes happens. It just happened on a pretty grand scale – a Paralympic final,” Ault-Connell said.

“But we’ve got another couple of events to go. I’ve got the 400m and the marathon on Sunday and honestly, I’m a distance girl. I’ve got to say I’ve been doing a lot of work on that and I’m really looking forward to Sunday.”

Ballard and Ault-Connell will be back on the track tomorrow for the 400m events, while Paralympic champion Vanessa Low will make a leap in the women's long jump T61-63 and 50-year-old Maria Strong will make her debut in the shot put F33 final. Watch all the action live on the Seven Network and 7Plus.

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 1/9/2021