Tokyo Paralympics: James Turner wins gold despite target on back

The last time he competed in the Games arena he took the world by surprise and a Paralympic crown. Now James Turner is back for round two and has already collected his first gold.

James Turner celebrates his gold in the 800m T36 final in Rio.

There’s nothing like a bit of twin rivalry to get the juices flowing.

In James Turner’s case, it has given him the hunger to succeed in sport.

Turner, one of the stars of the Australian athletics team competing at the Paralympics, reckons he wouldn’t be the athlete he is today if it were not for his sister Hayley.

“I always loved sport, have always loved running,” said Turner, who grew up at Hallidays Point near Taree before moving to Wollongong, then Huntley’s Point and eventually Canberra to train with a top squad.

Australian James Turner won the 800m in Rio but the event has been dropped for Tokyo.

“I’ve also always been quite competitive with my twin. She is able-bodied so it’s a losing battle.

“But it helped me try harder, helped me to be the athlete I am today.”

And that athlete has big goals at his second Paralympic Games after bursting onto the scene in Rio with gold in the T36 800m by seven seconds.

He then followed up this staggering performance with gold in the 200m, 400m and 800m at the 2017 world championships and gold in the 100m and 400m at the 2019 world titles.

With the 800m cut from the athletes program in Tokyo, Turner, who has cerebral palsy, is focusing his efforts on 100m and 400m success and on Tuesday won the 400m in a Games’ record time of 52.80.

His T36 100m race is on Saturday.

Paul Blake of Great Britain (silver), James Turner of Australia (gold) and William Stedman of New Zealand after the 800m final.

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“I feel like I’m in good form. I’ve had good people to train with,” said the 26-year-old five-time world champion who works under Ukrainian coach Iryna Dvoskina and alongside the likes of medal hopes Vanessa Low, Evan O’Hanlon, Scott Reardon and Chad Perris.

“It’s a real power group, very professional group.’’

In total 179 Australian athletes are competing in Tokyo with athletics, swimming and cycling expected to produce the lions share of the medals.

The athletics team is 36 strong and boasts nine debutantes alongside veteran Christie Dawes who is competing at her seventh Paralympics.

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