Paris 23: Family first for Roderick Townsend-Roberts as he celebrates Worlds gold

Two-time Paralympic high jump champion Roderick Townsend-Roberts is no stranger to winning gold medals and setting world records. But winning world long jump T47 gold in a record distance felt that little bit more special at the Paris 23 Para Athletics World Championships, thanks to wife Tynita Butts, herself an Olympic high jumper, watching from the stands.

In Charlety Stadium on Tuesday (11 July), Townsend broke his own world record with a jump of 2.16m to take the world title, beating silver medallist Nishad Kumar of India (2.09m) and US teammate Dallas Wise (2.04m).  

“There’s definitely an amazing mix of emotions. This is the first time my wife has seen me compete at a championship meet. So it’s amazing to be here,” the two-time Paralympic champion said.   

“We’re expecting our first baby in November. So to have my baby here, my coach, just the whole crew, it felt like a real family event.  

An 'anti-hero'  

Although 31-year-old Townsend has dominated the sport for years, he believes this year's Worlds have highlighted the up-and-coming talent that is now challenging him. 

“There are a lot of young guys who have so much talent. We’ve got Dallas Wise with the US, we have Nishad with India. I just know that on any given day, somebody can make something special happen.  

“I like to look at myself as a bad guy, as an anti-hero. I want to be the reason nobody else gets to be the champion,” he said with a laugh. “I’m very selfish that way.”  

“I want to continue maintaining these records. I want to continue breaking my records. I want to continue putting on a show for the amazing fans and everybody who comes to see us compete,” he added.  

Family affair

Townsend was introduced to Paralympic sports by three-time Paralympian Jeff Skiba, who encouraged him to compete for Team USA. Townsend started competing in Para athletics in 2015 and won high jump T47 gold just a few months later on his World Championships debut in Doha.

He replicated that success in the Paralympics, topping the podium at Rio 2016 in both long and high jump T47. He retained his high jump title at Tokyo 2020 alongside silver in the long jump, and is aiming to continue that dominance in Paris next year. By then, he'll have another addition to the family cheering him on in the stands. 

“I’m just extremely appreciative of the opportunity of becoming a father. I think that every day is just a blessing and an opportunity to be able to provide in one way or another."  

He and his wife will reveal the baby’s gender in September. And although the baby will have the world’s best high jumpers as parents, Townsend-Roberts is happy to support anything that his child decides to pursue.  

“Anybody who has had a child knows that just so much happens from a day to day basis,” he said.   

“When I left Charlotte, Arizona, my wife said that she could feel the baby moving around and tried to feel her belly but I couldn’t. But when I landed in Paris, she sent me a video and I could see the baby kicking.  

“I’m just extremely happy to do everything I can to be able to make my family proud,” he added.  

Looking to the future  

Before travelling back to Paris for the 2024 Paralympic Games, Townsend-Roberts plans to defend his crown at the next World Championships in Kobe, Japan. They take place from 17-25 May 2024, allowing Para athletes to compete at a major event three months before the opening of the Games.  

“I’ve won the World Championships in 2015, 17, 19 and 23. I can’t just let somebody else have it so I have to go,” Townsend said with a smile. “It’s mandatory for me.”  

While Paris 2024 will be his third Games, he does not expect to stop there. His ultimate goal is to put on a show in front of a home crowd when the United States host the LA 2028 Paralympic Games.   

“Like I said, I’m the bad guy. I don’t want to end until I feel like finishing,” the Paralympian said. “The goal for me is LA in 2028. I’ve gotten to do this everywhere and I want to be able to do this at home.”  

“So Paris (2024) is on that journey. I’m extremely excited to be able to give everybody a peek at what to expect next year as well.”