Paralympics Live 2024: Redemption complete for Parker with Paris gold secured
Australia’s wheelchair rugby team got back on the podium, a rising star shone on the track and there was history at the Boccia — check out what you missed overnight plus the full medal table.
It was another eventful day at the Paralympic Games in Paris.
Here’s everything you might have missed on day five.
STEELERS BACK ON THE PODIUM
After the heartbreak of a fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Games in 2021, Australia’s wheelchair rugby team are back on the podium.
The Aussies overcame rivals Great Britain in a thrilling contest, 50-48, in a game which went down to the wire.
After the disappointment of the semi-final loss, captain Chris Bond said they were determined to bounce back.
“We used that pain to fuel us and we had a bit of a chat beforehand in the tunnel around, you know, two thirds of this team, it was eight people who couldn’t say they’re Paralympic medallists,” Bond said.
“The whole history of the Steelers, we’ve been quite successful. But with the squad we had, there’s only four of us that had a medal.”
AN AUSSIE RISING STAR SHINES
As the youngest member of the Aussie team, Telaya Blacksmith, 16, qualified for the women’s 400m T20 final on Tuesday night AEST.
Blacksmith ran a personal best in the heat and qualified for the final as the second fastest outside of anyone who finished in the top-three in both heats.
She ran a 57.96s.
PARKER DEFENDS HER TITLE
Even in her greatest moment of triumph, Lauren Parker was still in excruciating pain.
So she did what she always does, she just gritted her teeth and flashed a cheeky smile that let everyone know it didn’t matter because this was her happy day.
Perhaps Australia’s bravest athlete, Parker ended three years of sporting torment when she won gold in her triathlon classification at the Paris Paralympics.
Leading from start to finish, the 35-year-old turned the tables on her great American rival Kendall Gretsch to claim victory in one of the most heartwarming results witnessed in the City of Love over the past month.
HISTORY AT THE BOCCIA
Jamieson Leeson and Daniel Michel came away with silver medals in their respective BC3 Individual finals after absorbing games.
Leeson’s silver was the first for an Australian female.
The night marked the first time Australia has won multiple Boccia medals at a Paralympic Games.
WHAT A SWIM JAKE AS AUSSIES MAKE HISTORY
Jake Michel added another silver medal to his collection after a stunning swim in the men’s 100m breaststroke S14.
He beat Japanese star and world record holder Naohide Yamaguchi to follow on his finish at Tokyo 2020.
Shortly after, the mixed 4x100m medley relay 34-point team secured a Paralympic record to come away with a gold medal.
Sitting fourth ahead of the last leg, rising star Alexa Leary drove the Aussies home ahead of the Netherlands.
The team also included Jesse Aungles, Tim Hodge and Emily Beecroft.
Relive the action from day three at the Paris Paralympic Games with our blog below
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Originally published as Paralympics Live 2024: Redemption complete for Parker with Paris gold secured
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