Rio 2016 Paralympics: Aussie Chad Perris settles for bronze behind sprint ‘legend’ Jason Smyth

IRISH sprinter Jason Smyth has emulated the great Usain Bolt in Rio while young Aussie Chad Perris grabbed bronze with what he described as an ‘awesome’ run.

Chad Perris settled for third behind Johannes Nambala and Jason Smyth.

WHO wins between an Aussie “White Tiger” and Ireland’s version of Usain Bolt?

Well, turns out the Bolt connection carries plenty of weight at Rio’s Olympic Stadium.

Irish runner Jason Smyth – dubbed the Usain Bolt of Paralympics – emulated the world’s fastest man by posting a Games three-peat in his 100m sprint final on day two of competition.

The victory, clocked at 10.64s, followed gold medal runs in his T13 class in London four years ago and Beijing in 2008.

But two lanes over, in his Paralympics debut, Perth-born Chad Perris scored his maiden Games medal by smashing his personal-best and setting a new regional record on his way to collecting bronze.

The ACT-based runner, who describes himself on his Twitter page as the “fastest albino in the world”, goes by the nickname White Tiger – a moniker bestowed by footy teammates.

Jason Smyth won his third successive 100m T13 title.

He said securing a medal in only event at his first Paralympic appearance was a dream come true.

“Oh, awesome,” he said.

“Not many people get the chance to put on the green and gold and compete for their country, let alone win a medal for them.

“I was nervous behind the blocks, but as soon as you get called on your marks you know what you have to do and the nerves go away.

“Executing my race was what I was trying to do and the last three years of training has paid off with a massive PB and a bronze medal.”

The fastest time Perris had run coming in to Rio was 10.96s. He lowered that mark to 10.91 in winning his heat on the opening day, then shaved off another 0.08s in the final.

The 24-year-old – classified for vision impairment stemming from his albinism – finished just 0.05s behind second-placed Namibian Johannes Nambala.

T13 is a class covering athletes with the least visual impairment. No other impairments are considered, meaning its 100m event is generally the fastest sprint for Paralympic athletes.

Irishman Smyth has been denied the chance to mirror Bolt’s 100m-200m treble in Rio, after the T13 200m event he won in both Beijing and London was dropped from this year’s program.

He while he was disappointed he could not defend his 200m crown, this victory in the 100m was enough.

“It never gets tiring coming to Paralympic Games and crossing the line first,” he said.

“It is like a fairytale that just doesn’t seem to end, each time I come out.

“I know I can win and I’m probably under pressure to win but it just keeps happening and I’m very happy that I’ve been able to be so successful.”

Originally published as Rio 2016 Paralympics: Aussie Chad Perris settles for bronze behind sprint ‘legend’ Jason Smyth