Teen on track for Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

WITH two A-qualifiers under her belt, Rhiannon Clarke is on track to represent Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

Despite only starting her para-athletics journey five years ago, the Kingsley 17-year-old has been turning heads on the world stage, claiming bronze medals in both the T38 100m and 200m running events at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai and going on to break eight records at the event: the Oceanic, open Australian, under-18 Australian and under-20 Australian records for both 100m and 200m.

The previous year, Clarke also competed at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast where at 15 years she was the youngest Australian athletics medallist, winning silver against the world record holder.

She said competing at these two major events was “surreal”.

“It was so amazing to represent my country,” she said.

Clarke, who has cerebral palsy that affects her legs and right arm, said she had always been active as a child, doing things like ballroom dancing, swimming and horse riding.

Then when she was 12, she tried athletics.

“I enjoyed running and just kept training,” she said.

This includes going to the gym twice a week, training three times at the WA Athletics Stadium and WA Institute of Sport, swimming one to two times and physio once a week, under the leadership of coach Danny Kevan.

On top of that, Clarke has also just started Year 12 at Mater Dei College where she is studying four ATAR subjects and is a school leader for 2020.

“I enjoy training and getting to run and improving my technique,” she said.

“And with two study periods a day, I get quite a bit of time at school to study and do my homework.

“I just have to make sure I manage my time.”

Clarke now turns her attention to the Queensland state championships and national championships at Sydney Olympic Park in March.

She has also completed two A-qualifiers for the T38 100m at the Tokyo Paralympics in August and is hopeful to also compete in the 400m.

“It feels unreal,” she said.

“I’m very proud and excited and I hope I get the opportunity to make my first Paralympic team.”

She also has dreams of competing in the next world championships, the Paris 2024 Paralympics “and beyond”.

But before all of this, Clarke is also one of six finalists in the running for the junior sports star award to be announced at the RAC Sports Awards at Optus Stadium on February 13.

Nominated by Rebound WA and Athletics WA, she said she was “very honoured”.

“There are so many amazing athletes so to be a finalist is pretty awesome,” she said.

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