Paralympic gold medallist Brayden Davidson named Elite Athlete with a Disability at SA Sports Awards
LONG jump sensation Brayden Davidson has backed up last year’s Rio Paralympics gold medal by being named Elite Athlete with a Disability at the SA Sports Awards.
COLLECTING accolades is fast becoming a habit for long jump sensation Brayden Davidson.
The SA talent backed up last year’s Paralympic gold medal win with another stellar year on the international athletics stage.
Davidson claimed T36 bronze at the World Para Athletics Championships in July – 10 months on from his breakthrough success in Rio de Janeiro.
The 20-year-old’s achievements were recognised earlier this year when he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his service to sport.
His outstanding performances were again celebrated at the SA Sports Awards on Friday night as he was named Elite Athlete with a Disability for the second straight year.
Davidson, who has cerebral palsy, leapt 5.39m to rank third at the world titles in London, England.
The Hills Districts Athletics Club member also showed his versatility at the meeting, finishing eighth in the T36 100m in 13.29 sec.
Davidson’s stunning displays at home and abroad were a world away from his introduction to para-sport.
Initially a swimmer, he was forced to change sports after his cerebral palsy led to an accelerated breakdown in his shoulder strength.
Undeterred the Reynella East College graduate immediately took to athletics demonstrating his rich potential by claiming four junior national titles in 2012.
Davidson’s crowning moment came in dramatic fashion in Brazil four years later when he won Australia’s first track and field gold at the 2016 Paralympics.
His personal best jump of 5.62m was equalled by the host nation’s Rodrigo Parreira da Silva, but Davidson edged out his rival on coutback thanks to a superior second-best leap.
The Woodcroft youngster hoped to inspire other athletes with disabilities to pursue their dreams.
“It’s really cool in a way to look at the young kids, because when I was growing up I had my idols that I tried to be like and wanted to be like and really looked up to,” Davidson said.
“To go the full circle now in a way and be the one that young kids are looking up to is just, I guess, it’s really heartwarming.”
