SMYTH SECURES SIXTH GOLD
Jason Smyth cemented his place as the greatest sprinter in the annals of Paralympic sport by winning his sixth gold medal at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium in his most dramatic victory yet.
The 34-year-old Derry superstar just held off Algeria’s Skander Djamil Athmani on the dip to clinch his most memorable T13 100m victory ever, chesting the line at 10:53 seconds to the African’s 10:54.
The three-time defending champion said the tiny victory margin, and a build-up that was badly disrupted by injury made it one of his sweetest titles ever and confessed he did not know who had won.
“At the end of the race I tightened up a little. I could feel him right there and I wasn’t sure if it was me crossed first or someone else. I had to go over and ask ‘did I win’ when someone threw me the flag.”
“This means more to me because of how close it was and the year I’ve had. In the heats he looked smoother than me. I was not the favourite tonight so yes, to be in my fourth Paralympic Games, in my 17th year, and still unbeaten, I don’t even know what to say. All I know is it’s getting harder and harder to maintain that but that’s the challenge of sport. You’ve got to be on your A-game constantly.”
“I’m absolutely delighted. Most people probably weren’t aware of where the standard of competition has gone in the sprints. The Algerian had actually run quicker than me this year and I’ve had a really tough year of injuries that I hadn’t spoken of.”
“Nine months ago I wasn’t even sure if this was me done. Three months ago I was wondering if I could make it to the Games and be in the shape I needed. I only raced twice this season due to injuries but we got things right when we needed and I’m very grateful for the great team around me, the physio, S&C and coaches.”
Smyth’s time was his fastest since winning the 2019 World Championships and the relatively unknown 29-year-old runner-up, who had broken the African record with 10:59 in his heat, lowered it again to almost cause one of the biggest shocks of the Games. The bronze medallist, 20-year-old Colombian Jean Carlos Mina Aponza, also set a continental record of 10:64 to underline the stellar quality of the field.
And after winning his sixth Paralympic title and 14th global crown the Derry flier did not rule out staying on for Paris 2024.
“When you’re champion there’s a pressure and expectation people don’t know about. You’re there to be shot down all the time and I have everything to lose and nothing to gain. As time goes on there are faster people coming and I’m not getting younger either. I’d still like to go to Paris but I’ll take the next few weeks and see where I am and where I am going forward with family and all the people who support me.”
SILVER FOR MCCRYSTAL AND DUNLEVY
Ireland’s Para-Cycling superstars, Katie George Dunlevy and Eve McCrystal have delivered Ireland’s first Para-Cycling medal of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, the second medal for Team Ireland and only the third ever medal for an Irish competitor on the track at the Paralympic Games.
Katie George and Eve showed incredible speed in their qualifying round to set a new World Record of 3:19:946 in the Women’s B 3000m Individual Pursuit to set up their opportunity to race for gold in the medal race.
However, the British duo of Lora Fachie and Corinne Hall immediately broke that record with the next and final run. The two tandem pairs then faced off for gold in the Final but it was the British pair that made the better start and though Katie George and Eve managed to reel in their rivals in the middle thousand meters the pairing of Fachie and Hall ultimately re-established their lead before crossing the line to win gold.
This was an outstanding effort from Katie George and Eve who completed their campaign on the track with this medal-winning performance to set themselves up well for their road campaign this week.
Eve McCrystal said “I think we did ourselves proud, we left nothing to chance, no stone was left unturned by our coach Neill (Delahaye) and Cycling Ireland. He made sure that we would get here in the best possible form. To get that performance, I just can’t believe it. I’m so proud of Katie and I know she is proud of me – I am just so happy that we did this.”
Katie George Dunlevy said “I’m in a bit of shock, it is absolutely amazing. If someone said to me before that I would get a medal in the pursuit I would never have thought it in my wildest dreams. We were hoping to do a good ride and get a PB. To get that and a world record, I’m just speechless.”
LEE SECURES TOP TEN ON PARALYMPIC DEBUT
Killarney T47 high jumper Jordan Lee finished ninth on his Paralympic debut, clearing 1.74m with his opening jump but then failing at 1:79m in a competition won by defending T47 high and long jump champion Roderick Townsend (USA) in a new world record of 2.15m, with the minor medallists both clearing 2:06m.
“Obviously I’m quite disappointed with my performance. I just didn’t have the bounce in my legs today. I’ve only been in the sport for the last three years and to be able to get to the Paralympic Games with three years of work is an achievement already but I hope to reach my prime in future Games at Paris and Los Angeles.”
THREE MORE FINALS THIS MORNING
Three Irish athletes competed in the swimming pool in their heats overnight and all three have progressed through to their respective finals this morning.
Barry McClements was the first Irish athlete in the pool this morning where he set an excellent tone for what was to follow by qualifying from his heat with a personal best, his second in two events. Barry’s time of 1:06.31 saw him finish in 4th place in his heat and 8th place overall to ensure he will be back for his first taste of Tokyo 2020 finals action,
“I’m good after that. I qualified and a PB. Happy, five days since I was in the pool racing. So it’s just about keeping ticking over. I always have the speed to go out fast. Just coming back I died a little bit but I set a personal best and qualified.”
Nicole Turner will have a lot of hope going with her into this evening’s finals after a wonderful performance in the S6 50m Butterfly. It took a World Record performance by her Chinese rival Yuyan Jiang to deny Turner the race win but as it is she will compete in the final after being the second fastest overall in her favoured event.
“That went really well. This is my favourite event and to qualify second fastest, when I thought I would qualify third, that really drives me and I can’t wait for the final this evening.”
Ireland’s youngest and busiest Paralympian, Róisín Ní Riain, returned to the pool again this morning for the heats of the S13 200m Individual Medley and she again produced an outstanding performance with a third-place finish to guarantee her progression to the final which means that all three Irish athletes will compete in today’s finals session. Despite the quality of her performance Róisín is adamant that there is more to come.
“It was okay, an alright swim, I would have liked it to be a bit faster but I got another chance tonight. Hopefully I can do well then.”
WATCHING OUT THIS MORNING FOR…
9:14 Barry McClements S9 100 Metres Backstroke Final
9:57 Nicole Turner S6 50 Metre Butterfly Final
11:42 Róisín Ní Riain SM13 200 Metre Individual Medley Final
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