Wrap: Aussies in medals at Para World Champs

Australia has collected a total of 15 medals, including four gold, at the halfway point of the Para Athletics World Championships in London.

Included in the medal haul are six silver and five bronze medals combined with three world records – two from James Turner in the T36 200m and Cameron Crombie in F38 shot put.

21-year-old Turner finished close to an entire second ahead of silver medallist Kryzsztof Ciuksza from Poland, to win his maiden world title.

She claimed victory as a 14-year-old debutant at the 2015 World Championships, and now Isis Holt (VIC) has done it again. Charging across the finish line in the 200m T35 final, Holt gave it her all to take out gold in 28.47s (+0.3), and reclaim the number one spot she had lost to China’s Zhou Xia in Rio.

“I still can’t believe what’s just happened, I didn’t expect to run so fast. It was a little bit of revenge for me to win again, but more than that it was really great to come back after Rio and be able to keep this title,” the Melbourne teenager said.

Scott Reardon (NSW) proved he is the undisputed king of the track in the 100m T42, after claiming his third consecutive world title in the event; an achievement no T42 athlete before him has done.

Flying across the track in a time of 12.21 (-0.4), ahead of Denmark’s Daniel Wagner (12.30) and home crowd favourite Richard Whitehead (12.39.

“When I came into Para-athletics, I was a young, naïve water-skier who thought I could be the best, and fortunately I was able to meet up with Iryna, and she turned me from a water skier into the athlete I am today,” he explained.

She's a champion... again 🌎🥇 Isis Holt defends her T35 200m title at #London2017 #TeamAUS 🇦🇺 #Repost @vicinstsport ・・・ BACK 2 BACK WORLD CHAMPION Congratulations @isis_holt on winning the T35 200m at #London2017 📸 @coach_wallsy

A post shared by Athletics Australia (@athleticsaustralia) on Jul 16, 2017 at 4:05pm PDT

After breaking the world record in his heat for the 200m T36 on night three of the championships, James Turner (NSW) soared to glory again, in yet another world record time of 24.09s (-0.4).

The 21-year-old from Diamond Beach finished nearly an entire second ahead of silver medalist Kryzsztof Ciuksza from Poland, to win his maiden world title.

“It’s absolutely amazing to win my first world title, but to be honest I didn’t think it’d be in the 200m,” he said

“All I was thinking about was my race plan: fast at the start, ease at the bend, and slingshot out of the bend.”

On day one, it was 31-year-old debutant Cameron Crombie (ACT) who won the first world title of the Championships in the F38 shot put for athletes with neurological impairments, throwing 15.95m – more than one metre than his previous personal best.

Deon Kenzie (Tas) and Aaron Chatman (QLD) each added silver medals to the Australian tally, while Chad Perris (WA) rounded out day three of competition off with a bronze.

Erin Cleaver (NSW) soared in the long jump T38, with a jump of 4.61m (+0.1) to win silver – the Novocastrian’s best international result yet, and first major medal in the event.

Cleaver had been in the gold medal position until her third jump, when GB’s Olivia Breen surged forward to 4.81 (+0.5). Despite having lost the gold, Cleaver was thrilled with her overall result.

Madison de Rozario (WA) won her second consecutive bronze medal in the T54 1500m (3.25:56s), and is prouder than ever of her result, having competed against a full field of competitors.

Brayden Davidson went into London Stadium today with a target on his back and the 19-year-old from Adelaide admits he put a lot of pressure on himself to back up his performance.

With tight competition in his class, the T36 long jump athlete managed to defend his world championship bronze with a jump of 5.39m (+0.2).

“I would be lying if I said I was completely happy with my result today. It wasn’t my best jump but my aim was to at least defend my bronze from Doha, and I managed to do that,” Davidson said.

This says it all really! Thankyou all We are #teamreardo #mentalresilience

A post shared by Scott Reardon (@scottreardo) on Jul 18, 2017 at 3:11am PDT

A talented thrower throughout her teens, Sarah Edmiston proudly put on the green and gold for the first time this morning, knowing she had the potential to give a medal winning performance.

The former water-skier turned F44 discus thrower came close to her season best, throwing 33.80m in her third attempt to secure a place on the dais

“It’s a little bit unreal to win a medal at my first World Championships. It’s amazing to wear this uniform, and to do that and perform well is something extra,” Edmiston said.

Guy Henly (NSW), who threw a massive 53.59m in his sixth and final attempt in the F37 discus secured his second consecutive silver at a world championships and was proud of his result, after a disappointing fourth place finish at Rio 2016.

Rheed McCracken (QLD) put on a nail-biting show in the T34 100m event. Although he broke the world record in May this year (14.92), McCracken was unable to claim his maiden world title, clocking in at 15.40s (+0.3) – just 0.4s shy of gold medallist, Tunisia’s Walid Ktila.

The 2015 world champion for athletes with an intellectual disability, Todd Hodgetts (Tas) took to the world stage with pride, and secured bronze for his 15.96m throw.