Legally blind Courtney Lewis becomes first para-athlete to race in SA Little Athletics state meets

HAVING 10 per cent vision has not stopped Courtney Lewis from breaking national records or becoming the first para-athlete in SA Little Athletics state meets.

Courtney Lewis

EVERY time a challenge is thrown little Courtney Lewis’s way, she overcomes it.

Courtney, 11, has only 10 per cent vision after being born without properly formed irises, the result of an eye abnormality called coloboma.

Rather than let it get her down, the Somerton Park girl has fallen in love with track and field, becoming the only para-athlete to compete in South Australian Little Athletics state meets.

Along the way she has broken an Australian record, snared state and national gold medals and become the first para-athlete to take part in the Little Athletics Multi-Event Championships.

But Courtney, a Southern Districts Little Athletics member, considers completing her first hurdles race at the multi-event meet last month among her greatest achievements.

“The first time I jumped over them (at training) I fell over,” says Courtney, who is legally blind.

“I was really, really happy I could get over them.”

Courtney, who competed against able-bodied athletes, was randomly assigned five events, including the 60m hurdles, a fortnight before the meet.

It was a daunting task considering hurdles is not a Paralympic event and Courtney struggles to see the obstacles until she is within 2m of them.

“First I was really upset because I’d never done it before and was scared I’d tip over one.

“The other girls were very supportive of me and cheered me, which is very helpful and gave me more confidence.”

Courtney took up athletics two years ago after being recommended through a Paralympic talent search at the SA School for Vision Impaired.

Now the curtain rod in her bedroom holds three gold medals and she has a national age shot put record in the F13 classification from November last year.

“I’m a bit upset that I don’t have eyes like everyone else but I’m OK with that because I get a lot of help and athletics makes me really happy,” says Courtney, who also competes in long jump, discus and sprints.

“I was very shocked to get my Australian record and I was excited.

“I love all the events but my favourite is shot put because you really use your strength.”

Courtney, who receives one-on-one coaching through a Variety scholarship, will also be the only para-athlete competing in the Little Athletics state championships on March 22-23.

Her long-term goal is to become a Paralympian.

“Hopefully I can get more gold medals and another Australian record first.”

South Australian Little Athletics chief executive Sue Bowman says Courtney is an inspiration and the organisation is hoping to attract more para-athletes in the wake of her success.

“She’s touched our hearts,” Bowman says.