Paris 23: Strong and Drysdale crowned T72 world champions

Australia’s Maria Strong and Great Britain’s Gavyn Drysdale were crowned the first world champions in the T72 class as the first day of competitions of the Paris 23 Para Athletics World Championships concluded on Sunday evening (9 July).

The T72 class, also known as frame running, sees athletes run with the support of a three-wheeled frame. Drysdale led a one-two British podium setting an European record (16.66) ahead of Rafi Solaiman (16.78). Brazil’s Vinicius Marques finished with bronze.

“The atmosphere was incredible. I have never raced in a stadium like this before,” Drysdale said. “A huge well done to my teammate Rafi for such a close race. It is just amazing to get a one-two.”

Strong won the women’s 100m T72 (17.07) with Poland’s Magdalena Andruszkiewicz in second and Spain’s Judith Tortosa Vila in third. The Australian is also a Paralympic bronze medallist in the women’s shot put F33.

“I’m not sure I’m a good thrower for a runner or a good runner for a thrower,” Strong joked. “I enjoy frame running more not because I just won the World Championships but because throw events involve waiting for three hours.”

Bulgaria’s Ruzhdi Ruzhdi set the first world record of Paris 23 in the men’s shot put F55 (12.68m). It was the fourth consecutive world title for the Bulgarian in the event. 

Tunisia ended the first day of competition on the top of the medals standings as Ahmed Ben Moslah added a gold to Raoua Tlili’s triumph in the morning with his victory in the men’s shot put F37 (15.59m, new African record).

Japan’s Tomoki Sato displayed another dominant performance in the men’s 1500m T52. The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion took his third world title setting a new championships record (3:36.22).

There was another championships record in the women’s club throw F32 with Poland’s Paralympic champion Roza Kozakowska (27.29m).

Another Tokyo 2020 champion, Di Dongdong picked his first World Championships gold in the men’s long jump T11 in a one-two Chinese podium finish with Ye Tao in second.

All medallists, records and results can be found here. The Paris 23 action resumes on Monday with eight finals in the morning session.

The Paris 23 Para Athletics World Championships will be streamed live on World Para Athletics Facebook page with geo-blocking restrictions in certain territories.

More information is available here.