Paralympian Rosemary Little makes successful move from track to field

2 September 2021

Paralympian Rosemary Little makes successful move from track to field

Two NSW athletes were in action on day six of the track and field competition at the Tokyo Paralympics. Competing at her third Games Rosemary Little lined up in the shot, while Newcastle’s Luke Bailey pushed in the T54 100m heats.

For Sydney’s Rosemary Little it was a change in direction at her third Paralympics and fifth global meet, where she had previously contested track events from 100m to 800m. In Tokyo she went off track and into the field to contest the F32 shot put. After a tremendous domestic season, where she made significant improvement, she continued that vein of form on the world stage with a lifetime best.

After an opening throw foul, she nailed a personal best of 6.24m. Mid-competition she was in fourth place with UAE’s Noura Alktebi hot on her heels with 6.20m. Little responded in round four, improving her best to 6.26m, but in round five Alktebi musted up a putt of 6.49m to pass Little. She finished in fifth – capping off a tremendous year in her new discipline.

“I knew I’d probably come around four or fifth and that’s okay because at least I’m here,” Little told Margie McDonald from Paralympics Australia.

Up front in the competition, the world record held by Aussie Katherine Proudfoot was surpassed by the gold and silver medallists.

“Those girls really smashed the world record in a way no-one has in a long time. So in the end you can only do your best on the day.”

Why did Little make the move from track to the field?

“I knew there was something wrong before and during Rio,” Little said.

In 2015 and 2016 she had been suffering from bouts of pneumonia and a rare spinal tumour was discovered. After a year in hospital undergoing rehabilitation, she was reclassified from T34 to F32.

“I didn’t think I’d be here in Tokyo. My track coach suggested I make the switch – that was after my year in hospital rehab 2017-2018 with the spinal tumour – and I really wasn’t that keen,” she said.

“Perseverance always wins out in the end though. My neurologist always says if I wasn’t so stubborn I wouldn’t be here.”

In the morning session, on debut at the Paralympics, Luke Bailey placed fifth in his T54 100m heat in 14.55 seconds - not far short of the mark of 14.19 required to progress to the final.

“I had a good start but it was such a tough field. It’s still a big achievement being here so I can represent my country – it’s my first Paralympics,” Bailey told Paralympics Australia.

“I am disappointed about not making the final but there’s always a next time and that’s the Commonwealth Games and then the world championships next year.”

Next up for NSW followers is Canada-based Guy Henly in the discus on Friday.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Rosemary Little