Jason Smyth and Nicole Turner are Team Ireland’s latest medallists at the 2020 Paralympics that are currently taking place in Tokyo in Japan.
On Sunday, Smyth claimed his amazing sixth Paralympics gold medal. The 34-year-old Derry native narrowly edged out Algeria’s Skander Djamil Athmani to win the men’s T13 100m event.
Smyth said afterward: “At the end of the race I tightened up a little. I could feel him right there and I wasn’t sure if it was me crossed first or someone else.
“I had to go over and ask ‘did I win’ when someone threw me the flag.
“This means more to me because of how close it was and the year I’ve had. In the heats he looked smoother than me. I was not the favourite tonight so yes, to be in my fourth Paralympic Games, in my 17th year, and still unbeaten, I don’t even know what to say. All I know is it’s getting harder and harder to maintain that but that’s the challenge of sport. You’ve got to be on your A-game constantly.
“I’m absolutely delighted. Most people probably weren’t aware of where the standard of competition has gone in the sprints. The Algerian had actually run quicker than me this year and I’ve had a really tough year of injuries that I hadn’t spoken of.
“Nine months ago I wasn’t even sure if this was me done. Three months ago I was wondering if I could make it to the Games and be in the shape I needed. I only raced twice this season due to injuries but we got things right when we needed and I’m very grateful for the great team around me, the physio, S&C, and coaches.”
#ParaAthletics 6th #Gold for Jason Smyth!#TeamIreland | #TheNextLevel pic.twitter.com/lGbxe1q6cw
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) August 29, 2021
The Irish victories continued on Monday when 19-year-old swimmer Nicole Turner, from Co Laois, won silver in the women’s 50m butterfly event.
After winning silver in her event, a shaken Turner told RTÉ: “I aimed to get a medal, but to be honest, to reach the podium now with the competitiveness in there, it’s not sunk in.”
An overjoyed Nicole Turner was shaking with excitement as she spoke to @Darrenfrehill about her brilliant silver medal swim https://t.co/WnFPRxuuVq #rtesport #paralympics #paraswimming pic.twitter.com/t1l0aTCVo5
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 30, 2021
With Smyth and Tuner's medals, Team Ireland is bringing home at least four Paralympic medals - two gold medals and two bronze medals.
Ellen Keane claimed gold in the women's 100m breaststroke while Katie-George Dunlevy and Eve McCrystal won silver in the B 3000m Individual Pursuit.
#ParaCycling The Irish flag is raised again in Japan, this time in the Izu Veldrome for Katie-George Dunlevy & Eve McCrystal ???#TeamIreland | #TheNextLevel | #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/b453axd3BG
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) August 28, 2021
Team Ireland had 29 athletes qualify in 27 slots across nine sports at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. With four medals in hand, there’s still more action to come from Team Ireland before the events conclude on September 5:
Tuesday, August 31
- Road cycling: Rachel Timothy — Women’s C1-3 Time Trial
- Road cycling: Gary O’Reilly — Men’s H5 Time Trial
- Road cycling: Ronan Grimes — Men’s C4 Time Trial
- Road cycling: Katie-George Dunleavy — Women’s B Time Trial
- Athletics: Orla Comerford — Women’s 100m T13 Round 1; Heat 3
Wednesday, September 1
- Swimming: Barry McClements — Men’s Individual Medley; SM9 Heat 1
- Swimming: Ellen Keane — Women’s 200m Individual Medley; SM9 Heat 1
- Swimming: Roisin Ni Riain — Women’s 100m Breaststroke; SB13 Heat 1
- Shooting: Phil Eaglesham — Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2 Qualification R5
Thursday, September 2
- Swimming: Patrick Flanagan — Men’s 400m Freestyle; S6 Heat 2
- Swimming: Barry McClements — Men’s 100m Freestyle; S9 Heat 2
Friday, September 3
- Swimming: Patrick Flanagan — Men’s 100m Backstroke; S6 Heat 2
Saturday, September 4
- Shooting: Phil Eaglesham — Mixed 50m Rifle Prone SH2 Qualification R9
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