Jodi delighted after winning two medals at Rio Paralympics

JODI Elkington-Jones braved an illness to win the bronze medals in long jump and the 4x100 metre relay at the 2016 Rio Paralympics last week.

Jodi Elkington-Jones of Australia competes on Women's long jump - T37 final. Picture: Getty

JODI Elkington-Jones braved an illness to win the bronze medals in long jump and the 4x100 metre relay at the 2016 Rio Paralympics last week.

Elkington-Jones, whose main aim was to give her best in T37 long jump, leapt 4.30m to win bronze behind China’s Xiaoyan Wen (5.14m).

The former Kellyville Ridge local then teamed up with Erin Cleaver, Brianna Coop, and Isis Holt to take bronze in the 4x100 relay two days later.

Jodi Elkington-Jones with her bronze medal in the long jump. Picture; Australia Paralympic Committee

Bronze medalist Jodi Elkington-Jones. Picture: Getty

“Finally all the hard work over the past four years has paid off and I am ecstatic,” Elkington-Jones, 23, said after her 4.30m leap in the long jump final.

Long jump winners: Silver medalist Franziska Liebhardt of Germany, gold medalist Wen Xiaoyan of China and bronze medalist Jodi Elkington-Jones of Australia. Picture: Getty

“The finals were up and down but over the last few weeks I was hitting my marks and was in good shape.

“Unfortunately I had been sick for a few days and was in bed for a couple of days ((before the long jump) so to get out here and jump was exciting.

Jodi Elkington-Jones in action. Picture: Australia Paralympic Committee

Jodi Elkington-Jones celebrates. Picture: Getty

“I have to thank my coach Nicole Borgmann-Stewart while having my parents and family with me here is great.

“Most of all I want to thank my husband as every day when I get home, whether I am upset, happy of whatever mood I am, he is always there for me.

“Without him, I won’t be able to do it.

Jodi Elkington-Jones, Ella Azura Pardy, Isis Holt and Erin Cleaver of Australia celebrate after winning bronze in the women's 4x100m T35-38 at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Picture: Getty

“Now I will be moving to America and that will be a big challenge but I am very excited about it.”

Elkington-Jones moved from Kellyville Ridge to Richmond this year to be closer to her husband at the Royal Australian Air Force base.

Long jump T38 silver medalist Taylor Doyle. Picture: Getty

Earlier, Taylor Doyle of Oakville won the silver in the T38 long jump with a leap of 4.62m to finish behind China’s Junfei Chen (4.77m).

Australia finished fifth in the table with 22 gold, 30 silver and 29 bronze for an overall tally of 81, behind leaders China (239), Britain (147), Ukraine (117) and USA (115).