Dayna Crees is overcoming the haters to claim Paralympic success

Paralympian Dayna Crees thrives on the big stage, yet it’s the everyday activities that are her toughest moments. Now Crees is shutting down the haters with a Games medal on debut.

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 12: Dayna Crees of Australia competes in the Women's Shot Put F34 Final during day five of the Para Athletics World Championships Paris 2023 at Stade Charlety on July 12, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Dayna Crees hates going to the local shops but put her in front of thousands of athletics fans and she will thrive.

Bullied “every day” as a kid forcing her to leave school, the 22-year-old proved the haters wrong as she won a javelin bronze medal on her Paralympic Games debut.

Crees was born with hereditary spasticity paraplegia, a genetic condition inherited from her father which causes weakness in the lower limbs.

“I have a limp when I walk, so I’d get stared at, I get pointed out. People wouldn’t want to be my friend anymore,” she said.

“I had a rough time growing up in school. I was bullied a lot. I had to make decisions to leave school because I couldn’t handle it anymore.

Dayna Crees wins bronze at her debut Paralympics in Paris. Picture: Paralympics Australia

“I hate going to shopping centres. I avoid it as much as I can, because I know that there’s going to be looks and kids look at me and point and point to their parents and all that.

“We’re all not the same, we’re all not perfect, and if you really believe in yourself, you can get anywhere you want.”

Crees, from Melbourne, first started competing in athletics at the age of 12 after a recommendation from her physio.

She was a champion junior long jumper, setting several national records throughout her teenage years.

But as she got older, she made the move to seated throwing events as her balance became weaker.

“I felt a bit uncomfortable, and knew there was going to be more criticism coming, going from standing to seated, “ she said.

Dayna Crees has been competing since she was 12. Her dad Mark has the same condition. Picture: Susan Windmiller

“I think I was a bit worried about the comments that were going to be made like, ‘how come you can’t do it now, but you could 10 months ago, type of thing’.

“That was probably the hardest thing.”

When it came to stepping up to the plate for her Paralympic Debut at the Stade de France, Crees thrived under the pressure.

Being ninth out of the 10 competitors, she had to wait to use the bathroom as each throw passed.

On attempt one, she delivered a personal best of 17.65m, which lifted her onto the podium.

And a favourite Aussie delicacy played a key role in her performance.

“I literally had Vegemite on toast, I think that is my new comp-day breakfast,” she said.

“I had pasta salad for lunch and then had Allen’s lollies from home at the event.

“I was not expecting to throw as well as I did, let alone medal. Looking I was like, I think the screen’s broken.”

As the realisation of her medal hit, Crees was overcome with emotion, hugging several family members in the crowd who had flown to the French capital.

They included her mum, dad, siblings and grandmother.

“I’ve had to overcome a lot, and I think my parents have been a good help, especially my dad, knowing he has the same (condition),” she said.

“He’s like, you know, who cares? You’re never gonna see these people again. Like you go down to the local shopping centre, you might get a few looks. You might come back the next day. They don’t know you’re gonna be there.

“So don’t even let one or two people ruin anything that you may get worried about.”

Originally published as Dayna Crees is overcoming the haters to claim Paralympic success