Gold medallist long jumper makes history by breaking the world record THREE times in just one hour at the Paralympics – as her incredible story of survival is revealed
- Long jumper Vanessa Low broke the world record three times in an hour
- Her jumps in the women’s T63 long jump event at the Paralympics won the gold
- Low had competed for Germany before marrying Aussie athlete Shaun Reardon
- ‘I’m a mess. I’ve never cried this much. It’s so special,’ Reardon said of his wife
An Australian Paralympian set an astounding three world records in just an hour as she claimed a gold medal in Tokyo.
Over six jumps long jumper Vanessa Low broke the world mark three times in the women’s T63 event, beginning with her second jump of 5.16m.
She then bettered the distance with jumps of 5.20m and 5.28m to claim the gold medal in the event by 14cm from Martina Caironi of Italy in the silver medal spot.
Over six jumps, long jumper Vanessa Low broke the world mark three times in the women’s T63 event at the Tokyo Paralympic Games
Low’s gold medal for Australia repeated her feat representing Germany in the T42 long jump at Rio 2016
Low, 31, previously competed for Germany before becoming an Australian citizen after she married fellow athlete Scott Reardon.
A double amputee above the knee after she was pushed into the path of a train as a 15-year-old, Low’s gold medal repeated her feat representing Germany in the T42 long jump at Rio 2016.
Her husband gave an emotional interview to broadcaster Channel Seven after Vanessa’s victory.
‘There’s no words actually. She’s competed at Worlds for Australia but to see her in Australian colours at the Paralympic Games and seeing her so calm and collected doing what she does best, I’m proud,’ he said.
‘I’m a mess. I’ve never cried this much. It’s so special. I don’t have words.’
The Australian long jumper (centre) won the gold medal by 14cm from silver-medallist Martina Caironi of Italy (left) and Swiss jumper Elena Kratter with bronze (right)
Low is a double amputee above the knee after she was pushed into the path of a train as a 15-year-old
Low’s husband Scott Reardon (right) competed in the men’s 100m – T63 final on day 6 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
Low was told she’d never walk again after her accident but told Olympics.com earlier this year she did not want to be confined to a wheelchair for life.
‘I believe you can still have a really good life in a wheelchair,’ she said, ‘but for me reaching what was possible and trying to live a live that was what i imagined it to be was really important.
‘When I picked up running everyone thought this was not going to work for me in the first place and I thought, if they are going be wrong about this, what else might they be wrong about?’
The Paralympics in Tokyo finishes this Sunday. Australia is currently eighth on the medal table with 18 gold, 25 silver and 27 bronze medals.