Silver success for Burian and McCracken

Silver was the theme of the day, with Rheed McCracken claiming his fifth Paralympic medal and Michal Burian winning his first, as Australia's four-day medal streak continued at Japan National Stadium.

Czech native Michal Burian (Nick Baltas) wore his adoptive country's colours for the first time today, and proved he is proud to be an Australian by throwing an F44 world record in the javelin F64 combined class event to win silver. The 29-year-old who only gained Australian citizenship this year, hovered between second and third position from his opening throw, but cemented his status as a silver medallist with a 66.29m throw in the final round.

Burian, who has lived and breathed athletics since witnessing javelin world record holder Jan Zelenzy in action at his local club in the Czech Republic, bettered the previous world record by 11cm and his own personal best by 3m. Despite this extraordinary effort, India's Sumit Sumit (F64) threw three world records in five rounds, finishing with a powerful 68.55m to clinch gold. 

Burian commented on how far he has come since first emigrating to Australia on a six month visa, and how proud he was to throw a world record for his new country.

"I just didn't believe it because it was a tight competition. It was fight until the last moment with the last throw. I just grabbed the javelin and ran it down, waited for it to land, and I still can't believe it. I've been working really hard towards this. A 3 metre PB, what more can I ask for," he said.

"It was a tough journey moving to Australia, especially at the beginning, but I wanted to explore and make a change, and it's been the best decision I ever made. Thank you Australia."

Rheed McCracken (Andrew Dawes) claimed his third consecutive silver in the 100m t34, crossing the line in a season best time of 15.37. Although he was aiming to finally defeat archrival and hot-favourite Walid Ktila from Tunisia, the Bundaberg product was outclassed from the start, with Ktila widening the gap throughout the race to set a new Paralympic record of 15.37.

"I came in thinking that this was going to be the year I won gold but it was no different this year. But three silvers in this event, I'll take that any day for sure. It's something I'm really proud of," McCracken said.

McCracken and many Para-athletes around the world have not had the chance to compete against their international competitors since the 2019 World Championships, which he says may have been a factor in him not being able to grab onto the gold.

"I've been able to beat him in other events so I know it can be done, but the times out here today weren't fast. I could have gone faster and would have liked to make more of a contest out of it, but we haven't raced since 2019 so I'll take that. I've never been as nervous as I have been sitting in that call room. I was shaking in my boots out there."

Rio Paralympic gold medallist Scott Reardon (Iryna Dvoskina) had a heartbreaking ending to a rollercoaster of a campaign, placing fifth in the 100m T63 final. Last night, audiences watched him slip and recover in his heat to qualify for the final, and although he was able to produce a season best of 12.43 tonight, thanks to a much better start, he was unable to accelerate enough to place himself on the dais.

This Games marks the first time Reardon had raced internationally in four years, having battled a chronic Achillies injury after claiming gold at the London 2017 World Para Athletics Championships. 

"It wasn't much more than six months ago I thought I was done, no thanks to my Achilles, so to scrape back in and qualify for the Games is pretty cool," he said.

"After the 2017 World Championships, we came back and my Achilles was a mystery one that popped and I battled for two years. When I got on top of that it was my hamstring, and then my Achillies again, and then my adductor, but no excuse. I was here, I am in better shape than 12.43, but I do think it's the lack of racing that got me here."

Speaking to Channel 7 about making tonight's final after an almost-fall in his heat, he said:

"We as Aussies always show up and do our best. Even last night, for anyone who watched their race - I like to think o myself as resilient and someone who pushes back. I'm really proud to make this final for the fact that I could compose myself yesterday and still chase down the field."

Reardon will now focus his attention on playing a support role to his wife, long jumper Vanessa Low who will defend her Paralympic title this Thursday.

Fresh off the back from winning gold in the 800m T53, Madison de Rozario (Louise Sauvage) entered her third event of her schedule with the 1500m T54 heat. A close heat, with less than 2 seconds between first and sixth, de Rozario placed fourth, but went through to the final as the fastest non-automatic qualifier with a time of 3:36.49. 

Australia has so far won nine medals in track at field at the Tokyo Paralympics, including one gold, fiver silver and three bronze medals.

By Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia
Posted: 30/8/2021