Paralympic powerhouses strengthen credentials at Maurie Plant Meet - Melbourne
Published Tue 06 Feb 2024
Three Paralympic champions along with six global para athletics medallists will give fans a taste of what’s to come at the Paris Paralympic Games this year, with world record holders Vanessa Low and James Turner leading the charge at the Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne next Thursday at Lakeside Stadium.
Although a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meet, the Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne (formerly the Melbourne Track Classic) will continue its long tradition of showcasing the best of Australian para athletics, with three events to feature in the schedule at the Chemist Warehouse Summer Series meet.
Back-to-back Paralympic gold medallist Vanessa Low travels to Melbourne riding the high of her long jump T61 world record at the ACT Athletics Championships last weekend, where she made a resounding entrance into the season with a 5.33m landing.
The double-leg amputee added five centimetres to her previous world record set at the Tokyo Paralympics, and is now excited to show a burly Melbourne crowd the realms of possibilities as she counts down to Paris, where she hopes to win a consecutive third gold medal.
“I’m thrilled to compete at this year’s Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne. It’s more than a competition to me, it’s a chance to showcase the resilience and talent of para athletes to the world,” Low said.
“Being part of this event is a huge honour and I’m eager to represent the para-sport community with pride. It’s an opportunity to inspire, challenge perceptions and highlight the importance of inclusivity in sport. I look forward to giving my best and I’m grateful for the support that makes this possible.”
The Paralympic champion will be joined by Kiwi Anna Grimaldi (T47), also a two-time Paralympic gold medallist in the long jump T47, as well as 2023 Australian team co-captain Sarah Walsh (T64) and up and comer Kailyn Joseph (T38).
The Men’s 100m Ambulant will see a battle down the straight as two-time Paralympic champion James Turner (T36) and Australia’s fastest ever Paralympian Chad Perris (T13) go head-to-head, with the spotlight showcasing Australia’s depth in the para sprinting ranks.
Unbeaten on home soil and at the World Para Athletics Championships, Turner toes the line as the man to beat, but with a lifetime best of 10.65, the man affectionally called “The White Tiger” will be ready to pounce on the win when the numbers are crunched on the BASELINE system. T47 Australian record holder Jaydon Page will join the charge on his quest for a second Paralympic berth alongside Commonwealth representative Anthony Jordan.
Three global medallists in the women’s dash will deliver a showdown of Paralympic proportions, with WA training partners Rhiannon Clarke (T38) and Ella Pardy (T38) racing to the finish line, as 2023 debutant and World Para Athletics Championships silver medallist Mali Lovell (T36) chases the win. Grimaldi will make her second appearance at the meet, giving the race international flare as the 2023 100m T47 bronze medallist gets ready to sail for Paris.
Tickets to the Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne at Lakeside Stadium on February 15 can be purchased HERE.
The Maurie Plant Meet – Melbourne is supported by World Athletics and the Victorian Government via Visit Victoria and part of the Chemist Warehouse Summer Series. The meet will be streamed live and free on Seven’s digital platform, 7plus.
By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 6/2/2024
