A busy day at the Paris Paralympics has seen Australia walk away with a gold and two bronze, while more advance to finals.
Turner wins gold and breaks world record
Australian sprinter James Turner trumped his own world record in the 400m T36, winning gold. Turner ran a 51.71-second race in Tokyo in 2021 and yesterday improved that record, running a time of 51.54 seconds.
Turner battled glandular fever earlier this year in May and it was looking unlikely for him to compete in this year’s games.
“I obviously wasn’t able to train and as soon as I’d start training I’d get worse, so we had to be really careful and come back really slowly,” he said.
After soaking up his major triumph, he summed it all up to one feeling.
“I’m proud to be an Australian.”
Two bronzes in the pool
Rachael Watson has finished third in the women’s S3 100m freestyle, winning bronze with a time of 1:38.92.
Watson placed behind American world record holder Leanne Smith, who won gold with a time of 1:28.81, and second place Marta Fernandez from Spain, who swam a time of 1:30.04.
Watson fittingly medalled on her mentor Dawn Fraser’s 87th birthday.
“I’m so proud of myself … thank you for all the support … and happy birthday Dawn a mentor of mine.”
Alex Saffy was also successful in the pool, claiming bronze in the men’s S10 100m freestyle. The 18-year-old swam a PB and an Oceania record of 56.61, just sneaking on to the podium finishing behind Italy’s Stefano Raimondi who swam a 55.02, and Ukrainian Ihor Nimchenko who swam a 55.21.
0.01-second gap epitomises Australian runner’s bad luck
Jaryd Clifford’s misfortune continued as he missed the podium in the T13 1,500m final by 0.01 seconds.
Clifford was beat by Russian runner Anton Kuliatin who ran a time of 3:44.94, edging Clifford’s 3:44.95.
It comes just days after Clifford was disqualified and stripped of his bronze medal in the 5000m. Clifford dropped his tether which ties him to his guide only metres away from the finish.
“I’m absolutely gutted that we made such a critical mistake,” he said after that race.
Yang moves on to defend gold
Qian Yang will advance to defend her Paralympic gold medal in the table tennis women’s singles WS10.
Yang moves on after defeating Brazil’s Bruna Alexandre 3-2 in the semis. Yang has already won gold in the table tennis doubles and looks to take home her second gold for these games later tonight as she takes on Poland’s Natalia Partyka.
After day six, Australia has 32 medals, consisting of nine gold, nine silver and 14 bronze.
Photo: Paralympic Paris 2024 Stade de France by Eric Salard is available HERE and is used under a Creative Commons Licence. This image has not been modified.
