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Australia had its most successful day so far at the World Para Athletics Championships on Saturday with James Turner winning his second gold medal and Mali Lovell, Maria Strong and Vanessa Low adding to the tally in Paris.
It sets the scene for four-time Paralympian Michael Roeger to try to finish the job he started over a decade ago when he returns to the 1500m T46 after spending the past five years focusing on the marathon.
Day 7 was highlighted by Turner’s recovery from a slow start to power home in 11.85 (-0.3) in the 100m T36, just 0.13 seconds outside his world record.
“I feel like I pulled my adductor three steps in so to be able to come home like that, I’m really happy,” Turner said.
“My preparation wasn’t at its best while I was focusing on studying for life post-sport so I’m really fortunate and really proud to have won the gold medal.”
Watch the World Para Athletics Championships live on 9Now.
Lovell completed her debut with a silver medal in the 200m T36, in a career-best 30.19 (-2.7) against a stubborn headwind. The teenager placed behind New Zealand’s Danielle Aitchison who set an Oceania record of 28.50, while Abby Craswell finished eighth in a personal best time of 32.96.
“I wasn’t expecting to get second and to do a personal best is so good,” Lovell said.
“This is amazing, it means everything to me. We’ve got another year to prepare for the Paralympics, so I will train hard and aim for that.”
Backing up their gold in the 100m T72, Strong won silver in the Shot Put F33, going one better than their Paralympic bronze with a new Oceania record of 6.82m.
“Throwing a personal best is always good. I have actually thrown past my Tokyo medal performance five times since January now, so I must be doing something right!” Strong said.
Rounding out the medals was two-time Paralympic champion Low, who was back as a mother to one-year-old Matteo. Low won bronze in the Long Jump T63 with a leap of 4.90m (+1.8) in the sixth round.
“There was a long period of time where I couldn’t walk and pregnancy was pretty tough for me,” she said.
“We had to adapt and make it work, and standing here today with a medal means everything and more.”
A big 12 months for new mum and Paralympic champion Vanessa Low as she claims BRONZE 🥉 in the Women's Long Jump T63.
— Athletics Australia (@AthsAust) July 15, 2023
Vanessa leapt to a new T61 Championships Record of 4.90m on her final attempt and missed out on the silver by just 1cm. #ThisIsAthletics pic.twitter.com/knZEgJ9Qrz
Elsewhere on a busy day, Sam Carter came fifth in the 100m T54 and Angela Ballard came sixth in the 400m T53.
The results lifted Australia to 12th place on the medal table.
Related: Day 1 Wrap – ‘Flying’ Strong Strikes Gold, De Rozario Set For Track Return
Related: Day 2 Wrap – ‘Gutsy Clifford Wins Silver, Turner Breezes Into 400m Final’
Related: Day 3 Wrap – Aussie Speedsters Flex At World Athletics Championships
If Roeger can add to the tally, it would be profound. History hasn’t been kind to him at major championships. “I’ve dreamed of winning a final and a global gold medal for so long,” he said.
I just haven’t been able to get the job done. I’ve had a bit of bad luck on the track and hopefully this time, all the stars will align.
“I’ve never been in this good position physically before, so it’s funny how the world works. It could be a full circle in that I start at the 1500m and come back to the 1500m and do what I was supposed to do in 2015, 2016 and 2017.”
Also on Day 8, Cameron Crombie will chase his third Shot Put F38 world championship in a row, Guy Henly steps into the circle for the Discus F37 and rising star Sarah Clifton-Bligh races in the 800m T54 Final.
Related: Day 4 Wrap – Burian Idolised Zelezny, Now Seeks Javelin Gold For Australia
Related: Day 5 Wrap – ‘I Know I Have It In Me’: Sprint Duo Ripe For 200 Final
Related: Day 6 Wrap – Big Guns Low And Turner Set To Fire on Super Saturday
By: Athletics Australia and Paralympics Australia
Posted: 16 July 2023
