British para triathlon super star Lauren Steadman showcased a powerful performance in Odaiba Bay, on Paralympic Super Sunday, to claim victory in the Women's PTS5 race, an event that saw America's 2016 Paralympic Para Triathlon champion Grace Norman finish with the silver medal, while another British para triathlete, Claire Cashmore, managed to maintain third place, after a complicated race in which she lost time due to a penalty.
In Tokyo Bay, ten of the best para
triathletes in the women’s PTS5 class, got officially underway with their race
at the Paralympic Games. Paralympic champion Grace Norman of the USA had a
superb swim to lead the women out into the first transition of the day.
Renowned swim specialist Claire Cashmore of Great Britain was next through
transition, closely followed by Lauren Steadman and Canada’s Kamylle Frenette.
The sprint distance race, consisting
of a single 750m lap of the Bay was followed by four 5km laps of a flat and
technical bike course towards Ariake Tennis Park then heading north over Fujimi
Bridge and doubling back towards Odaiba. The final run segment featured 4 laps
of 1.25km, finishing in front of the grandstands on Odaiba Bay.
In the early stage of the bike
segment, Norman of the USA had established an 11-second lead on the PTS5 women
but there was no surprises that Steadman, who had earned the silver medal in
Rio 2016, would be up for a battle and by lap three had taken the lead.
The two women have raced on the para
triathlon circuit for years and familiar with each others strategies out on
course and the familiar battle for medals, especially on the Paralympic stage
after Rio 2016.
During the bike, experienced para
triathlete Cashmore made an unfortunate error on course and was penalised on
course, forcing her to lose 1-minute in the penalty box.
Steadman and Norman entered the final
transition of the day within seconds of each other but it was Steadman who
produced a quick change to move onto the run course as race leader.
The British Paralympian Steadman was
a force to be reckoned with on the run, showing the audience that she was
highly motivated to achieve one better than in Rio, and make that step onto the
top step of the Paralympic podium.
Normal ran exceptionally across the
entire 5-kilometre course with Cashmore chasing, but didn’t have the power of
the front runners today.
In the final stage of the race it was
evident that Lauren Steadman was on her way to securing the Paralympic gold
that she had been dreaming about for so long. From Paralympic silver in Rio to
Paralympic gold in Tokyo, Lauren Steadman was crowned Paralympic champion in
Tokyo.
"I went in and I really had no
idea how it was going to go.The standard in my category is fantastic. Grace
Norman could have taken it, Claire Cashmore could have. The cards were going to
fall one way or the other. Today they fell my way. After Rio (2016) I was
devastated, and I really withdrew from sport. It was a horrible experience for
me (back then). I don't think it has quite sunk in yet, I feel quite teary. I
can't believe I did it. I am over the moon."
Grace Norman crossed the finish line
with the silver medal and graciously congratulated Steadman on her gold medal
performance. Norman led the field with a remarkable swim and for a portion of
the bike segment but honoured that the gold was for the taking today.
"Throughout the race it was just
a phenomenal experience. I felt good warming up. I took the swim by storm, had
an amazing lead. I did all I could on the run. It was hot, but all in all I am
very proud of this second place."
"It's incredible. Rio was
surreal, Tokyo proved nonetheless. It was five long years to get here. We went
through a lot of hard work, blood, sweat and tears. I just can't explain it
right now, I am just very happy."
Cashmore, despite losing the time on
course due to a penalty, had a brilliant run to claim Paralympic bronze in
Tokyo.
"It is huge, but I think there
was more in me, more in the tank. But a bronze medal at the Paralympic Games is
something to be definitely proud of. I've got to take that. Lauren Steadman
fully deserves that gold, she has done an incredible year of training. And
Grace Norman as well. Both came back from Rio 2016 and they are massive role models
to me. It was incredible to see those two with me on the podium."
The women’s PTS5 closed the Para
Triathlon competition at the Paralympic Games at Tokyo 2020.
Results: PTS5 Women
1.Lauren Steadman GBR 01:04:46
2.Grace Norman USA 01:05:27
3.Claire Cashmore GBRg 01:07:36
4.Kamylle Frenette CAN 01:10:09
5.Alisa Kolpakchy UKRUKR Flag 01:13:29
ABOUT WORLD TRIATHLON
World Triathlon is the international
governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of triathlon and all
related multisport disciplines around the world, including duathlon, aquathlon,
cross triathlon and winter triathlon. Triathlon made its Olympic debut in
Sydney 2000, with a third medal event, the Mixed Team Relay, added to the
programme at Tokyo 2020, while para triathlon was first added to the Paralympic
programme at Rio 2016. World Triathlon is proudly committed to the development
of the sport worldwide, with inclusion, equality, sustainability and
transparency at our core as we seek to help triathletes at all levels of the
sport to be extraordinary.
MichaelPhelps Teaches Swimming - Most of us can swim, but there’s a difference between dog paddling on vacation and swimming for fitness. If you’re looking to unlock the low-impact, calorie-burning benefits of swimming, check out this course from Michael Phelps on This Skills. The 26-time Olympic gold medalist will cover everything you need to feel confidant and comfortable swimming laps. You’ll learn all the basic strokes, plus wall kicking, diving and other techniques, but you’ll also get a glimpse into the mindset of the most decorated Olympian of all time. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/v4nmne8h
No comments:
Post a Comment