Low reflects on world record success at ACT State Championships

Home | news | Low reflects on world record success at ACT State Championships

Just months after winning her first gold medal for Australia in 2019, Vanessa Low did the unexpected – she broke the world record in the 100m T61 at her home track at the ACT State Championships.

The German-born Paralympic gold medallist impressed with her 2020 season opener, stopping the clock at 14.95 (+1.5) to better her own personal best by 0.22.

The best part, she says, was that she wasn’t pushing for a personal best, let alone a world record.

“We didn’t train for the 100m last year actually,” said the T61 long jump star.

“I used to compete in the 100m but when the classification system changed, it meant I wouldn’t have the option of competing in the 100m at the Paralympics anymore, but it didn’t mean I couldn’t go out there and do it for fun.”

Competing with no expectations, the win gave her confidence as she both the Paralympic year and the season.

“When you think about long jump, I have to be able to run faster to jump further, so I wanted to just go out and see what I could do” Low said.

“That was the fastest time I’d ever run and it would have won be the gold medal in Rio in my old class. Realising what I’m capable of was amazing and it showed me that I’m probably not at the end of my career like I thought I was.

“If anything, it made me realise how much I missed sprinting.”

Low has already made her season debut this year, running 15.16 but at slower track in Canberra, and she’s excited to see what she can do back on her home track at the Australian Institute of Sport.

“I ran last week for the first time. It was my third fastest time ever and it was good to get into it,” she said.

“I think for us based in the ACT, it’s our own State Championships, a home competition in front of a home crowd where our family and friends based in Canberra can come down, and all of us are at our most comfortable because it is the fastest track in Australia and it’s just so great to run quickly and potentially post qualifiers here.”

“I also know I’m capable of a really fast time and I’ve also got everything in me to do a huge jump this weekend. I’m trying not to expect it to happen, because it always comes together when I least expect it, but I feel fit and I’m ready to get that extra energy and nerves that I get when I’m competing.

Key to Low’s preparation is also her coach, Iryna Dvoskina who has been a rock to the two-time Paralympian throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Training has been amazing lately. I’m really grateful that my body is trying, and it’s doing amazing things. The postponement of the Games has been good for me because I have been able to build that base, and continue on with that, and physically and mentally I’m in a good space and excited for what’s to come.”

“It’s been really handy to have a coach that is so adaptable in mindset. She’ll do whatever we can do, find new ways of training and thinking,” she said.

“We’re surrounded by boys at training, so we feel like a power woman couple. It’s great to find power in each other and find power in doing great things together.” 

Low will compete in the long jump on Friday, and the 100m on Saturday, and following her performances this weekend, she and Dvoskina will prepare for the Coles Super Summer Series event in Canberra, followed by the Canberra Track Classic in March. 

By Sascha Ryner
Posted: 10/2/2021

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