PREVIEW & GUIDE: Tokyo Paralympic Games – NSW athletes

23 August 2021

PREVIEW & GUIDE: Tokyo Paralympic Games – NSW athletes

Tomorrow night the delayed 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games finally gets underway in Tokyo with the opening ceremony. The athletics program kicks off on Friday where 36 Aussies will compete across the 10-day track and field program. NSW’s first representative will be Sarah Walsh in the T64 long jump on Saturday morning.

To help you follow the NSW athletes, here is a guide with athlete profiles and the days and times they compete. Channel 7 and Channel 7 + will provide extensive coverage of the Games.

ATHLETE PROFILES

Christie Dawes

DOB: 3 May 1980 – 41 years

Event: T54 marathon

Coach: Andrew Dawes

PB: 1:37.14 (2017)

2019-2021 World Ranking: 18th 1:47.58

International record:

-11 Australian Global/Commonwealth Games teams

-Tokyo sixth Paralympics, has won three medals

Interesting facts: Competed in the 2013 Boston Marathon where a bomb exploded near the finish line.

Evan O’Hanlon

DOB: 4 May 1988 – 33 years

Event: T38 100m

Coach: Iryna Dvoskina

PB: 10.79 (2012)

2021 World Ranking: 3rd 11.47

International record:

-10 Australian Global/Commonwealth Games teams

-Tokyo fourth Paralympics, has won six medals

-Paralympic T38 100m 2008 – gold, 2012 – gold, 2016 silver

Interesting facts: He lives in the Czech Republic with his wife who was a 2008 Beijing Olympic Games competitor in the 20km walk.

Guy Henly

DOB: 14 May 1987 – 34 years

Event: F37 Discus

Coach: Kim Cousins

PB: 53.99m (2015)

2021 World Ranking: 3rd 52.77m

International record:

-6 Australian Global teams

-Tokyo second Paralympics, was fourth in Rio

-World Para-Athletics Championships 2013 bronze, 2015 silver, 2017 silver, 2019 bronze

Interesting facts: Lives in Canada with his wife also a Paralympian.

Luke Bailey

DOB: 17 Sept 1997 – 23 years

Event: T54 100m

Coach: Andrew Dawes

PB: 14.18 (2021)

2021 World Ranking: 7th 14.18

International record:

-2 Australian Global teams

-Tokyo Paralympic debut

Interesting facts: Has studied Mechanical Engineering.

Rosemary Little

DOB: 27 Aug 1982 – 38 years

Event: F32 Shot

Coaches: Karyne Di Marco & Breanne Clement

PB: 6.12m (2021)

2021 World Ranking: =4th 6.12m

International Record:

-5 Australian Global teams, 3 medals

-Tokyo third Paralympic Games, 1 bronze medal 2012

Interesting facts: Her first two Paralympic Games appearances were on the track in sprints and distance ecents, before this appearance in the shot.

Sarah Walsh

DOB: 14 Jul 1998 – 23 years

Event: T64 Long Jump

Coach: Matt Beckenham

PB: 5.49m (2021)

2021 World Ranking: =5th 5.49m

International Record:

-5 Australian Global teams, 1 medal

-Tokyo second Paralympic Games

Interesting facts: Both her parents were born in Ireland and Sarah made her international debut at 16 in Scotland.

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David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW

Image: Luke Bailey (courtesy David Tarbotton)