Dunedin Paralympian Anna Grimaldi has won back to back bronze medals at the Para Athletics World Championships in Japan.
Grimaldi won bronze in the women’s T47 100m with her time of 12.72sec in wet conditions in Kobe last night (NZ time).
The 27-year-old, who won her first bronze in the event at last year’s world championships, finished behind Kiara Rodriquez, of Ecuador, who defended her title in 12.27sec and runner-up Saska Skolov, of Serbia, who was 0.07sec ahead of Grimaldi.
“I’m so stoked,’’ Grimaldi said.
“My immediate thought is I know I can run faster, which is exciting for the Paralympic Games. I’m content with where I am at now, but excited by where I can get to.”
Grimaldi will be back in action in her specialist long jump event on Friday (1.30pm NZT).
Danielle Aitchison is the only Kiwi to compete today, racing in the women’s T36 100m final at 10.22pm.
Gold for stunning Stedman
Sunday was a memorable day for New Zealand after Will Stedman was crowned the world champion in the men’s T36 400m.
The Christchurch-based 24-year-old claimed the top spot for the first time in his career and set a national record of 53.36sec.
World record holder and Paralympic champion James Turner, of Australia, settled for silver finishing 0.16sec behind Stedman and Fakhr Eddine Thelaidjia, of Algeria, claimed bronze in 54.53sec.
Stedman has mounted the 400m T36 podium four times at global championships but his win on Sunday was his first gold medal, and in a national record time of 53.35 sec.
Stedman, who won bronze at the world champs in 2019 and then silver in 2023, trimmed his national record by 0.19sec.
"It was as close as its going to get to a perfect race. I got out well and ran a good first 200m, staying nice and relaxed. Then started pushing around the bend and in that last 100m just focused on being relaxed.
"It wasn't until 50m to go when I saw Jimmy (Turner) getting closer and I thought something could happen here. Then in the last ten metres, although my legs were completely shot, the momentum managed to carry me through.
"I'm really happy with the way I ran that race, in those conditions and to run a PB - is really cool.''
- additional reporting RNZ
