Para-athletics | Paralympics Australia

Burian Idolised Zelezny, Now Seeks Javelin Gold For Australia

World record holder Michal Burian spearheads Australia’s hunt for medals on Day 5 of the World Para Athletics Championships after sprinter Chad ‘The White Tiger’ Perris was pipped for bronze by the slimmest margin in the 100m T13 Final in Paris.

Czech-born Burian, who draped himself in the Australian flag after winning Paralympic silver in Tokyo, will compete in the Javelin F64 competition.

“I have just been obsessed with throwing things since I was little,” Burian said. “When you can throw a perfect javelin and see how it flies, it’s a great feeling.

“I didn’t expect such a success at my first big competition. It was massive and coming into the World Championships it feels a little bit easier. Considering all the big boys there, I had to get stronger and put some muscle on, which has happened – I have achieved that.”

Burian fell in love with javelin when he watched Olympic champion Jan Zelezny at his local club in the Czech Republic. By 18, Burian was selected for his first national team as an able-bodied athlete but was soon told that his disability, club foot, would stop him progressing.

Fast forward more than a decade, Burian will hit the javelin runway in Australian colours for the second time as the F44 world record holder competing in the combined F64 class, an event for athletes with affected mobility in one or both limbs.

Burian faces reigning Paralympic champion Sumit Antil and former world record holder Sandeep Choudhary, both of India.

Burian’s tilt comes the day after Perris’s attempt to capture his fourth consecutive world medal fell agonisingly short. ‘The White Tiger’ ran 10.87-seconds (-0.7) to finish fourth behind Thailand’s Jakkarim Dammunee (10.86) by one hundredth of a second – and the blanket finish had added drama.

“I crossed the line and was told I won bronze and celebrated. I had the flag out and then was told that it was fourth after all so that’s probably the most disappointing bit,” Perris said.

“It’s really tough but there was a medal left for the taking and when I look back on the journey of the last 18 months I am really happy with where I’ve gone with my coach Matt Beckenham and we really have enjoyed this time. I think this is going to spur me on for Paris next year.”

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The White Tiger @chadperris roars down the home straight in the 100m T13 event placing fourth in 10.87 (-0.7).

The Paralympic bronze medalist misses out on a medal by the narrowest of margins and will be hungry for redemption come Paris 2024.#ThisIsAthletics @AUSParalympics pic.twitter.com/9MiykChOkK
— Athletics Australia (@AthsAust) July 12, 2023

Perris set the example for young debutants Abby Craswell and Mali Lovell, who finished sixth and seventh, respectively, in the 100m T36.

The duo heads into the 200m T36 heats with confidence.

“It was a great experience,” Craswell said. “It’s amazing to be out there with the best and I’m looking forward to keeping on running, it has been such a privilege to represent Australia. It has been a new experience and a new opportunity, overwhelming at times, but I’m looking forward to more.”

Also on Day 4, Dayna Crees delivered a throw of 6.26m to claim sixth place in the Shot Put F34, backing up her fourth-place in the Javelin F34 the previous day.

“I’m really excited to see what will happen next,” Crees said. “To make the Paralympics would make all my dreams come true. It would be the best thing ever.”

Australia’s youngest team member, Angus Hincksman, 17, progressed through the first round of the 400m T38 with a personal best of 55.30, ranking seventh for the Final, before he focuses on his favoured 1500m T38. Sam McIntosh registered a time of 1:06:80 in Heat 2 of the 400m T52 at World Para Championships number five, with the 100m T52 to come.