Australian Maria Strong hopes a world record performance at the World Para Athletics Championships has helped bolster the chances of the 100m T72 becoming a Paralympic event in future years.
The T72 class, also known as frame running, involves athletes running with the support of a three-wheeled frame.
Strong was gutted when the event wasn't included for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris but hoped a strong display at the current World Para Athletics Championships, also in the French capital, would help bolster its case for future Paralympics.
And Strong provided just that on day one on Sunday, tearing away from the field in a dazzling final 50 metres to be crowned the event's inaugural world champion.
The winning time of 17.07 seconds was the fastest on record from any competition.
“I first got on a frame when I was in the second half of my 40s," said Strong, a bronze medallist in the shot put F33 at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
"I had never been able to run more than a few steps before that. I tried a race chair, I suck at it. I got on a frame and suddenly, I was not at risk of face planting.
"I could move reasonably fast. It’s like I’m flying.
“People were so disappointed when it was not announced as part of the Paralympic program but thought I could do this (compete at the World Championships) to help it happen, for those athletes that are still going to be around in 2028 and 2032."
In other day one action, Australia's former world record holder Corey Anderson was unable to defend his Javelin F38 title, finishing fifth in the final with a 44.89m effort.
Well shy of his season-best effort of 49.79m and his personal peak of 58.18m, Anderson’s preparation was hindered by a shoulder injury, leaving him hungry to return to Paris on top at the Paralympic Games of 2024.
“My body just wasn’t ready but I’m really keen to just get back in the gym and come back stronger and healthier," Anderson said.
Five-time Paralympic champion Evan O’Hanlon remains alive in the chase for global medal No.20, advancing to the final of the 100m T38 with a season’s best run of 11.31 (+0.1).
Samuel Rizzo made the final of the 5000m T54, and will also compete in the 800m T54 and 1500m T54.
Paralympic champion Madison de Rozario will headline the action on day two when she attempts to snare global medal No.17 in the 5000m T54 final.
Jaryd Clifford took home the 1500m/5000m T13 double at the 2019 Dubai World Championships, and the Victorian is determined to back up that success in Paris.
