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Australian sprinter Isis Holt broke her own world record when she claimed back-to-back Paralympic Games silver medals in the 100m (T35) at Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium on Friday.
Holt got the team’s athletics program off to a flying start when she set a new season best 13.49s in the heats to become the fastest qualifier for the Final ahead of China’s Zhou Xia.
But both Xia (13.00) and Holt (13.13) then broke the Australian’s world mark of 13.43 set four years ago at the 2017 London World Championships to finish one-two in Tokyo. They finished up the same way again – gold-silver- five years ago at the Rio Paralympics.
Holt was philosophical about lowering world records but still coming home with silver.
“I was mentally prepared for anything today – and anything was what happened. So I’m stoked to have a PB that huge,” Holt said.
“I’m out here to run my best and the silver medal is a pretty good way to represent all the hard work I’ve put in.
“It could have been gold but we’ve got some time… and we’ve got another event.”
Holt will race in the 200m (T35) on Sunday. Zhou and Holt finished one-two in that event as well in Rio.
“I think for me it’s about knowing my race plan and executing it to a tee. I almost did that today,” she said.
“Apart from the start I was happy with the rest of it. I mean I’ve got a fantastic strength coach back home in Paul Pearce – he’s the reason I’m running so fast. It’s that quality training, it’s that consistency that gets you there.”
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Holt, who only turned 20 last month, took more than a year off after the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games to finish her Year 12 studies. She said that had nothing to do with her Tokyo results today.
“I needed that mental break, as I’d started so young,” she said referring to winning the 2015 Doha World Championships 100m gold when she was a 14-year-old.
“I’m a stronger, better, more determined runner today for having that time away.”
Australia almost snared a second athletics medal on Friday in the men’s javelin (F38) with Corey Anderson – 2019 world champion, and Jayden Sawyer 2017 world champion – competing.
Anderson sat in the bronze medal position with a season best 54.48m throw until the sixth and final round of the competition. Then up stepped Ukraine’s Vladyslav Bilyi with a 55.34m to take silver and push everyone down a spot.
Anderson missed bronze by 15cm. Gold went to Colombia’s Jose Lemos Rivas, who also snatched Anderson’s world record (58.18m) with an opening throw of 60.31.
“Losing by 15 centimetres – that’s just devastating. But this is my first Paralympics, I’ll go home, see my son, see my partner, see mum and dad,” he said.
“I’ve still got my World Championship title and I’m still thankful for that.”
It’s been hard for Anderson lately who has been managing an injury in his throwing shoulder and a right groin muscle strain as well.
“I was really consistent today, which I’m proud of, because the whole season has been a bit of a waste for me with my (right) shoulder problems.
“Two days ago I had an injection of anti-inflammatories and today I felt amazing, really good out there. I just didn’t connect on that last throw.”
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Sawyer also had problems getting the right rhythm with his technique.
“I was trying to adapt to the heat and be present in the moment. I felt really good in the warm-up but javelin can be a finicky thing,” he said.
“If you don’t put it all together in a hot comp, then you’re not going to get anywhere. Unfortunately, I didn’t and I’m going to work on that.”
Six of the eight finalists on Friday set either a personal or season best, to underline the standard.
“Not having my coach around (Mike Barber) was hard. But I’ve got two weeks in a hotel to spend some time to get my head back in the game. I’ve got some other stuff I want to take care of.”
Chief among those is partner Caitie Tipping, who has secured a professional volleyball contract in Sweden.
“I only get three days with her before she rushes off…. And she’ll be gone for eight months so it’s tough.”
In other events on Friday, Sam McIntosh finished 5th in his 400m (T52) heat in 1m:07.97, and although it was a season best for him, he failed to qualify for the final.
“The 400m always seems like a long way, when you’re a 100m specialist, but I’m really happy with the season best,” McIntosh said.
“The first 200m was really something positive to take out of this. So I’m really looking forward to September 3rd.”
That’s the 100m (T52) Final next Friday, where McIntosh finished fourth at the 2016 Rio Games and sixth at the 2019 World Championships.
Australia’s youngest athlete in track-field, 16-year-old Jaydon Page finished fifth in his heat and 10th overall in the 100m (T47), and frankly couldn’t be happier after his first Paralympic race.
“I wasn’t pleased with my time… but I want more of this. I feel like I’m built for this,” he said.
“I know I’m young and I’ve got to mature but I’m ready for the next few years. Not once in the call room or out on the warm-up track did I feel out of place. I felt like I was meant to be here.
“I was almost dancing before I was coming out. I want to get ready now for Commonwealth Games (Birmingham 2022).”
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The day ended on a high with the only Australian competing tonight – Paralympic Games rookie Alissa Jordaan finishing 4th in her heat of the 400m (T47) in a season best 1.00.78s to force her way into Saturday night’s final.
“It was almost a personal best. I’ve been trying to crack that minute so I didn’t really know what to expect. I just wanted to see how it feels; going with the vibe of it,” Jordaan said of her first Paralympic race.
“It’s the best race I’ve done in a long time so you’ve got to be happy with that. I’m not going to lie, there were a whole lot of nerves beforehand but at the end of the day you’ve just got to do what you came here to do – and that’s run your best.”
Athletics – Day 2 (all times AEST)
Men’s 5000m (T13) Final: Jaryd Clifford – 10.40am
Women’s 5000m (T54) Final: Madison de Rozario – 11.06am
Women’s 100m (T38) Heats: Ella Pardy Ht 1 – 11.38am; Rhiannon Clarke Ht2 – 11.44am
Long Jump (T64) Final: Sarah Walsh – 11.42am
Men’s 100m (T38) Heats: Ari Gesini Ht1 – 12.10am; Evan O’Hanlon Ht2 – 12.16am
400m (T47) Final: Alissa Jordaan – 10.07pm
By: Margie McDonald, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 27 August 2021
