Melbourne teenager Isis Holt shook up the international Para-athletics scene when, less than a year after taking up the sport “to try something new,” she broke world records in the 100m and 200m.
She cemented her place among the world’s best at the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha, Qatar, where she shaved almost one second off her own 200m world record to win gold and qualify for the 2016 Paralympic Games.
Surging out of the blocks in lane six, Isis was challenged around the bend by friendly rival, 15-year-old Maria Lyle of Great Britain, before digging deep to break away on the home straight. She considers it the most exciting race of her career to date, not only because it was her first time overseas, but her result exceeded any expectations she had of her performance heading into competition.
Coached by Nick Wall, the Canberra native says that while setting new world records has been a great experience, what she is most proud of is being able to prove that having a disability does not stop you from achieving your goals. Isis hopes to use her success to inspire others and change perceptions.
At her Paralympic debut in Rio, Isis medalled in each of the three events she competed in. In the 100m and 200m, she claimed silver behind Chinese competitor, Xia Zhou, in what were two of the youngest podium finishes in Paralympic history. She also competed in the 4x100m relay with Australian teammates, Ella Pardy, Jodi Elkington-Jones and Erin Cleaver, where they crossed for third.
At her second Games at Tokyo 2020, Isis broke her own world record when she claimed back-back Paralympic silver medals in the women’s 100m T35. She finished with a time of 13.13 seconds behind China’s Zhou Xia who crossed the finish line in 13.00 seconds. She then went on to claim another silver medal in the women’s 200m T35 in 27.17 seconds, finishing again behind Zhou Xia of China (27.94 seconds).
Throughout her whirlwind career, Isis has had her fair share of blunders on the track. She recalls falling face-first over the finish line when she first began racing, a moment she says is her most embarrassing.
Off the track, Isis enjoys writing, reading, drama, and is also a budding equestrian. She loves to watch The Great Gatsby and Wentworth, and says that if she ever came down to her last $10, she would spend it on Lindt chocolate.
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