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Michael Roeger produced “the best race he never won”, according to coach Philo Saunders, capturing silver in the 1500m T46 at the World Para Athletics Championships to put his preparations for Paris 2024 well on track.
Thrower Guy Henly also won a silver medal for Australia on the penultimate day of the championships, with a sixth round effort of 52.45m in the Discus F37.
Roeger’s 3:53.89 signalled a strong return to track racing. He led from the front until Bulgaria’s Hristiyan Stoyanov pulled away on the top bend.
“Philo and I talked about a plan, I executed that and got beaten. I have to be happy and hold my head up, the Bulgarian was just too strong in that last hundred,” Roeger said.
The 2019 Marathon gold medallist returned to the 1500 event in which he won minor medals in 2013, 2015 and 2019.
“Coming back down to the 1500m on the track, the goal has always been next year,” he said. “This is just a little hurdle that I just have to get across. I’m happy with the effort but disappointed with silver.
“I’m not done yet and I thank everyone who has believed in me.”
Watch the World Para Athletics Championships live on 9Now.
Henley was thrilled with his silver medal in the Discus.
“That was pretty special. There were a lot of tough guys and a lot of new guys that I had no idea about. It was a really strong competition, so to come away with the silver, I’m really stoked,” Henley said.
Back-to-back Shot Put F38 world champion Cameron Crombie threw 15.89m to finish fourth after Colombia’s Jose Gregorio Lemos added almost two metres to the world record with 18.26m. Fellow Australian Marty Jackson finished seventh.
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
In other events, Sam McIntosh took fourth place in the 100m T52, clocking a time of 18.18 (-0.4), Sarah Clifton-Bligh came eighth in the 800m T34, clocking a T33 championship record of 2:36.45 when racing up a class.
Three of Australia’s top distance athletes, former world champion Deon Kenzie, Reece Langdon and Angus Hincksman spearhead Day 9 in the 1500m T38.
Langdon, the fastest of the three at 3:52.19, said his goal was to race with pride.
“I will do my absolute best to push for that gold medal, it’s been a childhood dream of mine. I just want to make Australia and myself proud.”
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
Related: Day 7 Wrap – Roeger Aims To Set Record Straight As Australia Climbs Medal Tally
Daniel Milone becomes the fourth Australian male to contest the 1500m T20 at a world championships and the first since 2011. Over the past two years Milone has lowered his mark from 4:19 to 4:01.82, and although he was selected as a development athlete, the 20-year-old is aiming to thrive under the lights of Charlety Stadium.
Discus F38 Australian record holder Samantha Schmidt came sixth at Tokyo 2020 with a throw of 30.26m and the Wakawaka and Gubbi Gubbi woman has lifted her career best to 34.26m. Also in the field is Ella Hose, who placed fourth in the Shot Put 37.
Commonwealth Games silver medallist Jaydon Page contests the 100m T47, Rhiannon Clarke races in the 400m T38 and Rheed McCracken races in the 800m T34 Final.
By: Athletics Australia and David Sygall, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 17 July 2023
