Novocastrian Lauren Parker has been heartbreakingly denied a Paralympics gold medal in the women’s triathlon, finishing second by just 0.01 seconds.
The Hunter-based star was overtaken by American Kendall Gretsch in the closing metres of the PTWC triathlon at the Odaiba Marine Park on Sunday.
Parker was an elite able-bodied triathlete before a training accident in 2017 and she transitioned to become the reigning world champion in the women’s PTWC.
The 32-year-old was first out of the 750m swim leg and managed to hold her position through the 20km cycle and into the five-kilometre wheelchair/run leg.
She lost crucial time, however, when she got stuck behind another athlete she was lapping during the run.
Gresch, who won gold medals in the biathlon and cross-country skiing at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, surged near the finish line.
“I just put my head down and went for it – I knew she was coming,” Parker said after the race.
“I did the best I could, but got stuck behind one of the girls on that last U-turn (in the final event, the wheelchair race) and lost a few seconds there.
“”I knew I had to pull my head down on that finish line.
“It wasn’t to be for the gold but I am proud of my silver.”
A Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in 2018, won just 11 months after her accident, Parker said she was satisfied with her efforts in Tokyo and rated her swim leg as one of the best she had raced.
“I had a great swim, the best swim I have ever had,” she admitted.
“I felt awesome in the water.
“I got onto the bike, which is my strongest event… and I just went hard from start to finish on that bike to get as big a lead as I could for the run (wheelchair race).
“I improved a lot over the past year, even on the run, but it wasn’t to be for that gold.
“I am still happy with my silver.”
Meanwhile, Queenslander David Bryant finished seventh in PTS5 triathlon in his first Paralympics.
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