Paralympic middle-distance star Jaryd Clifford has reannounced himself on the global stage, shattering his own 1500m T12 world record from 2021 with the fastest ever run over the distance by an ambulant Para-athlete.
Stopping the clock at 3:40.39 in the 1500m T12 at the Meeting Nakaia in Nice in France, Clifford obliterated his own previous world record of 3:41.34 set in 2021 at the Canberra Track Classic. In an able-bodied race brimming with pace, Clifford charged through putting nearly a full second between himself and the mark that once defined his greatness.
“When I crossed the line, I knew it was fast but I didn’t actually find out for a few minutes until someone could read it out to me.” Clifford said.
“I haven’t run a PB in the 1500m in over four years so hearing that time was very special.”
The record-breaking performance marked more than just a number on the clock, but signalled the return of one of Para-athletics’ most formidable forces. After four years of battling injuries and setbacks, Clifford’s 3:40.39 reannounces his potential.
“For four years, I’ve really struggled. There was a time when I couldn’t string together more than 12 weeks of running in a row,” he said.
“Now I’m injury-free and it’s such a relief to be healthy and I’m so proud that I hung in there when times were tough. After how disappointing Paris was, this is just the first step of many towards the LA Paralympics.”
Now with the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi this September, Clifford is ready to make his new world record the start of a new chapter.
“In my mind, I decided to draw a line down the middle of my career between the first half and second half. I needed a fresh start in my mind and a clear separation from the past. It gave me some space to breathe and in Delhi, I hope people will see the new me. I hope I gave a glimpse of that tonight,” he said.
“I have a lot to keep giving this sport. It’s given me so much, it’s changed my life and it gave me the confidence to be me. So I’m in this for the long haul. In many ways I do truly feel like this is just the beginning. So many tough times are behind me, now it’s time to build to something special.”
The dual world champion and Paralympic medallist will now return to the Australian Athletics altitude camp in Flagstaff, Arizona as part of the next phase of his preparation.
By Sascha Ryner, Australian Athletics
Posted: 1/6/2025
