TOKYO BOUND
THROWER SETS HIS SIGHTS ON GOLD MEDAL
PARALYMPICS: Corey Anderson is one step closer to making a lifelong dream a reality.
The Toowoomba javelin thrower is among the first 10 para-athletes named in Australia’s Tokyo Paralympics team.
Anderson’s selection caps a meteoric rise for the World Para-Athletics champion and world record holder.
The 20-year-old will aim up in Tokyo with his sights set firmly on gold.
“My dream is to hold all the records – national, world and Olympic,” he said.
“I’m excited to be going to my first Paralympics for Australia, and I would love to win gold.
“I can’t wait to get there and throw for my country and for myself.”
Anderson believes the postponement of the games to 2021 will be to his advantage.
“It means I’ve got a longer preparation time now,” he said.
“By next year, I’ll be a year older, more mature and a lot stronger.
“I’ve been throwing for half my life, and I love it.
“Every time I throw, I learn something new and I get better.
“By next year, I think I’ll be at my peak.”
Anderson also has the form to back up his belief.
At the 2019 World ParaAthletics Championships in Dubai, despite rolling his ankle in the warm-up. Anderson broke his own record of 55.14m with a 56.28m.
He has since eclipsed that mark with a 58m effort and is adamant he can go bigger still.
“I rolled my left ankle twice in Dubai,” Anderson said.
“A few days before the final I rolled it and then I rolled it again in warm up.
“After I set the record with my first throw I was in so much pain.
“If I’m fit and strong, I think I’ll be able to throw 65m – that’s my goal.
“I think what works for me is the fact any pressure or nerves I feel I put completely into my throw.”
Australian Team Chef de
Mission Kate McLoughlin said Anderson’s rapid progression made him an exciting prospect.
“Corey set a world record at the Nationals last year and he was up against Jayden Sawyer, who was the reigning World Champion – who set his own world record in 2017,” she said.
“To see Corey come so far so soon is amazing. I’m really excited to see what he can produce.”