Strong Grips Gold to Open Australia’s Tally at 2023 World Para Athletics Championships

Australia has struck gold on the first day of medal events at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships thanks to a Herculean effort from Paralympic medallist Maria Strong in the 100m T72, setting the tone for a successful championships in Paris, France.

Tearing away from the field with a dazzling back half of the frame running bout, Strong (VIC, Richard Colman) stretched her legs to be crowned the inaugural world champion in the event – setting the fastest time on record with a scorching 17.07 (+0.5) performance.

“I first got on a frame when I was in the second half of my 40s. I had never been able to run more than a few steps before that. I tried a race chair, I suck at it. I got on a frame and suddenly, I was not at risk of face planting. I could move reasonably fast. It’s like I’m flying,” Strong said.

A bronze medallist at Tokyo 2020 in the Shot Put F33, the win demonstrated Strong’s versatility in what they describe as their preferred event, offering some cheek on camera after clinching their maiden world title.

“I’m not sure if I’m a good thrower for a runner, or a good runner for a thrower. I enjoy frame running more not just because I am the world champion, but because throw events involve waiting for three hours.”

It’s a result that Strong hopes has the world talking about frame running in a bid to land it on the Paralympic program:

“People were so disappointed when it was not announced as part of the Paralympic program but thought I could do this to help it happen, for those athletes that are still going to be around in 2028 and 2032,” Strong said.

Defending world champion and former world record holder Corey Anderson (QLD, Lukas Cannan) was unable to defend his Javelin F38 title from Dubai, finishing in fifth place of the final with a 44.89m effort.

Well shy of his 49.79m seasons best and 58.18m personal best, Anderson’s preparation was hindered by a shoulder injury, leaving him hungry to return to Paris on top at the Paralympic Games of 2024.

“My body just wasn’t ready but I’m really keen to just get back in the gym and come back stronger and healthier. I just couldn’t connect on anything but hopefully I can build myself back up again with my coach Lukas and come back to Paris with gold,” Anderson said.

Five-time Paralympic champion Evan O’Hanlon (NSW, Iryna Dvoskina) remains alive in the chase for global medal number 20, advancing to the final of the 100m T38 with a season’s best run of 11.31 (+0.1).

The notorious competitor clinched the third automatic qualifying spot in Heat 2, posting the sixth fastest time across the two heats which featured 12 men. Despite conceding that preparing for major championships is growing increasingly difficult in the twilight of his career, O’Hanlon refused to write himself off for tomorrow’s final:

“It’s a bit harder as I get older to keep the confidence up as I used to, so I’m pretty happy to make the final and hopefully I can improve on that. I have a couple of technique things already,” O’Hanlon said.

“We’ll wait and see tomorrow. Pressure is on I guess because I keep doing things people don’t expect me to do in the final, but that good luck has got to finish somewhere.”

Samuel Rizzo (VIC, Richard Colman) rounded out the day’s action with a sixth-place finish in Heat 2 of the 5000m T54, progressing to tomorrow’s final with a push of 10:31.67. The 22-year-old will add the 5000m T54 final to his already busy schedule, which includes the 800m T54 and 1500m T54 contests.

“I’m absolutely ecstatic! It was a really good push today and I’m really happy with how we performed. There was some surging and it was a tough finish, but we get to do it all again tomorrow. I’m excited and nervous but I will go out there and give it my best shot,” Rizzo said.

Day two of the Australian action will feature Paralympic champions Madison de Rozario, James Turner and Evan O’Hanlon, with all the action available live and free through the Nine Network and 9Now.

Full results from the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships can be found HERE.

By Lachlan Moorhouse and Sascha Ryner, Athletics Australia

Posted: 10/7/2023