Frech Claims Silver as Team USA Collects Three Medals on Day 1
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by USATF Communications
NEW DELHI, INDIA – Team USA kicked off the World Para Athletics Championships in India with four athletes competing in their respective final and three of them winning medals. Jaleen Roberts, the first of 39 American athletes to compete in the nine-day global championships, jumped 4.53 to make the podium in the T37 (coordination affected on one side) category. It’s Roberts’ 11th global medal, following a season plagued by injury during which her only previous competition was the U.S. Para National Championships in July.
“There’s a lot that I couldn’t control this season,” said Roberts. “It was definitely one of the hardest seasons in terms of getting where I need to be to perform, but we walked away with a medal so I can’t complain.”
Katie Hwang claimed her first ever global medal in the women’s F36 (movement and coordination affected in the body, arms and legs) shot put. Hwang threw 7.51m on her final attempt to secure the final spot on the podium.
“I knew that I just had to go big at that last throw and hope everything would pay off,” said Hwang, who will also compete in the 100m on Monday. “I’m gonna have a lot of rest, drink a lot of water. I’m living on blessed fumes here.”
The evening session saw the return of the multi-disciplinary young sensation Ezra Frech. Frech, the world record holder in the T63 (absence of leg function below the knee) faced fierce competition in the high jump from two Indian jumpers - Shailesh Kumar and Varun Singh Bhati - who had loud support from the home crowd. Frech, Kumar and Singh Bhati were the only three still competing when the bar was raised to 1.85m. All three cleared the bar, but only Kumar could clear 1.88 leaving Frech to settle for second.
“It wasn’t my day. I’m just basking in defeat, taking it on the chin. I’ve got to be better. I will be better.” said Frech, the 2024 Paris gold medalist in this event. “This lights a fire in me. When I am motivated, there is not a soul in the world who can stop me and I’m more motivated than I have ever been in my life.” Frech has two more shots at gold. He will compete in both the 100m and the long jump.
After qualifying for the T47 (absence of limb of function in one arm) 100m final in the morning, Korban Best completed the day with a fifth place finish in a season’s best 10.84.
Three American men advanced to tomorrow night’s final of the T38 (lower body coordination). The trio was led by 2024 Paralympic silver medalist Ryan Medrano who won his heat in a new championship record time of 10.83. The next heat was won by world record holder Jaydin Blackwell in 10.92 with 2020 Paralympic gold medalist Nick Mayhugh finishing third in 11.16.
Full results can be found here.
TEAM USATF MEDALS (3)
GOLD
SILVER (1)
Ezra Frech, T63 high jump
BRONZE (2)
Jaleen Roberts, T37 long jump
Katie Hwang, F36 shot put
“There’s a lot that I couldn’t control this season,” said Roberts. “It was definitely one of the hardest seasons in terms of getting where I need to be to perform, but we walked away with a medal so I can’t complain.”
Katie Hwang claimed her first ever global medal in the women’s F36 (movement and coordination affected in the body, arms and legs) shot put. Hwang threw 7.51m on her final attempt to secure the final spot on the podium.
“I knew that I just had to go big at that last throw and hope everything would pay off,” said Hwang, who will also compete in the 100m on Monday. “I’m gonna have a lot of rest, drink a lot of water. I’m living on blessed fumes here.”
The evening session saw the return of the multi-disciplinary young sensation Ezra Frech. Frech, the world record holder in the T63 (absence of leg function below the knee) faced fierce competition in the high jump from two Indian jumpers - Shailesh Kumar and Varun Singh Bhati - who had loud support from the home crowd. Frech, Kumar and Singh Bhati were the only three still competing when the bar was raised to 1.85m. All three cleared the bar, but only Kumar could clear 1.88 leaving Frech to settle for second.
“It wasn’t my day. I’m just basking in defeat, taking it on the chin. I’ve got to be better. I will be better.” said Frech, the 2024 Paris gold medalist in this event. “This lights a fire in me. When I am motivated, there is not a soul in the world who can stop me and I’m more motivated than I have ever been in my life.” Frech has two more shots at gold. He will compete in both the 100m and the long jump.
After qualifying for the T47 (absence of limb of function in one arm) 100m final in the morning, Korban Best completed the day with a fifth place finish in a season’s best 10.84.
Three American men advanced to tomorrow night’s final of the T38 (lower body coordination). The trio was led by 2024 Paralympic silver medalist Ryan Medrano who won his heat in a new championship record time of 10.83. The next heat was won by world record holder Jaydin Blackwell in 10.92 with 2020 Paralympic gold medalist Nick Mayhugh finishing third in 11.16.
Full results can be found here.
TEAM USATF MEDALS (3)
GOLD
SILVER (1)
Ezra Frech, T63 high jump
BRONZE (2)
Jaleen Roberts, T37 long jump
Katie Hwang, F36 shot put
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