Tassie ‘Hulk’ Todd Hodgetts delivers interview of the Tokyo games after drama-filled shotput final
Tasmania’s first three-time Paralympian has delivered the interview of the Tokyo Games following a controversial F20 shot put final. INTERVIEW >>
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TASMANIA’S first three-time Paralympian ha delivered the interview of the Tokyo Games following a controversial F20 shot put final Tuesday night.
On a rain-soaked evening Todd Hodgetts — the gold medallist in London and bronze medallist from Rio in 2016 — unofficially finished seventh in the drama filled event.
The 33-year-old was among three throwers, including reigning champion and runaway leader Malaysian Muhammad Zolkefli, competing under protest having initially been told they could not take part for being late to the call room where athletes assemble before their event. Hodgetts, Zolkefli and fifth-placed Jordi Congo Villalba, of Ecuador, protested the decision and were allowed to compete but were subsequently listed as “did not start” on the official results.
Paralympics Australia has appealed the decision.
Hodgetts consistently improved his distance over his first four throws from 15.23m to 15.41m, and after a debatable foul in the penultimate round, finished with a 15.48m effort.
However it was his post event interview with broadcaster Channel 7 which has captured the imagination of the public.
“I’m good, it’s not over at all. I’m going to keep going, I’d die for this, I put my body on the line, it is not over,” Hodgetts said.
“[Shot put means] everything, it saved my life. All those knockers out there, kept on knocking me, I came back and represented my country.
“This is the best nation in the world, I love it.
“I was going for it today, warm up went well, I just didn’t time it. It got wet but I kept on improving.”
Launceston born Hodgetts, who has also contested four world championships, is a former record holder, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to sport in 2014 and was Athletics Australia’s Male Para Athlete of the Year in 2015, declared he has no intention on slowing down.
He also gave a shout out to premier Peter Gutwein, aware of his recent health scare.
“I’m going to go on to Brisbane, I’ll be 44 years of age, I’m going to die for this country like our Anzacs did.
“The world record holder was 44 when he got a PB. Nothing is impossible in this world. You’ve got to look to the future, not the past”
“Big shout out to Gutwein, he’s awesome, he’s not feeling that well but I’m going to surprise you when I get back.”
Hodgetts, dubbed “the Hulk” completed the interview by ripping his jersey off and knocking over the microphone.
Ukrainians Maksym Koval (17.34m) and Oleksandr Yarovyi (17.30m) appeared to finish second and third but were promoted to gold and silver following the verdict on Zolkefli, with Efstratios Nikolaidis (15.93m), of Greece, awarded bronze.
Tassie “Hulk” treating third Paralympics like debut
TASMANIA’S own “Hulk” is about to become the state’s first three time Paralympian but Todd Hodgetts will be treating Tokyo like his Olympic debut.
And if he can replicate his performance from his first Games in 2012 it could be a golden night for the 33-year-old.
Hodgetts will fly the flag for both his state and country in the F20 shot put final Tuesday night, hoping to draw on his experiences from his past two Games.
On his debut in London nine years ago, Hodgetts opened with a throw of 15.62m — which ultimately would have been enough for victory.
However he continued to increase his lead with efforts of 16.24m and 16.29m, which not only secured the gold medal but a then world record.
“That was the best day of my life,” Hodgetts recalled.
“I will never forget that day. I wish every day was like that and I’d be a happy man.
“I remember I was injured. I tore a tendon in my elbow and was in a lot of pain so really had nothing to lose.
“I think I blew them away in the third round and broke two world records. I got the nickname Hulk for life after that.”
Four years later in Rio Hodgetts claimed bronze.
Competition continues to go from strength to strength in the F20 event [for athletes with
an intellectual impairment] with the world record now owned by Malaysian Muhammad Zolkefli at 17.29m.
Hodgetts is aware of the strength of the field in Tokyo, but will draw on his big-time experience to push himself into medal contention.
“I’m going to be so fired up it will feel like my first Games. I’ve got nothing to lose. I’m
out there representing the best nation in the world and I just love putting those colours on.
“I’m the first Tasmanian to be a three-time Paralympian. I’ve been training hard and this is another opportunity to get a Paralympic title which is pretty awesome, so I’ll be going 110 per cent and anything can happen on the day.
“I took the opportunity I had and I’ve been pretty successful and enjoyed every moment. Putting on Australian colours is priceless. Not many people get that opportunity and I want to grab that.
“It’s a lot stronger now. The world has progressed, there’s a guy from Malaysia and another from Ukraine and plenty from Europe but I just worry about myself and if I have a good day, I can go out there and get a really good performance.
“I’ve been training well, I’ve put on some weight and been lifting good weights in the gym. I’m not there to look good, I’m there to perform.”
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