The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Lauren strikes Tokyo gold
Sawtry’s golden girl Lauren Steadman insists appearing on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ helped her win a Paralympic triathlon title in Tokyo over the weekend.
Steadman appeared on the celebrity ballroom dancing competition in 2018 - two years after she won a Paralymoic triatlon silver medal in Rio.
“Everyone thinks Strictly is a distraction, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Steadman who was close to making the final of the competition, stated.
“I did lose some power on the bike, but the programme made me quicker on my feet so my running improved.”
Steadman (29) finished 41 seconds clear of 2016 champion Grace Norman (USA) in Tokyo.
And the victory was redemption. She had to settle for silver in the triathlon at Rio 2016 after a costly mistake during the swim when she missed a crucial buoy.
She made no such error in Tokyo, however, finishing in one hour 4.46 seconds with GB teammate Claire Cashmore two minutes and 50 seconds behind her compatriot.
Norman led after the 750m swim, but Steadman swept past her rival on the 20km bike and established an 18-second advantage which she extended in the final 5km run.
“It will take a while to sink in,” Steadman added.
“Rio devastated me massively and I didn’t know what was going to happen this year.
“I was determined to just enjoy it this time regardless of whether or not I won a medal.
“It was a strong field and I just followed my game plan and thankfully it paid off.”
Steadman was was born without a right forearm, but she was a champion swimmer before turning to the triathlon.
She won gold as part of a 4 x 100m relay team at the World Championships in Rio in 2009.
That same year she won an individual bronze medal in the 400m freestyle at the 2009 European Para Swimming Championships in Iceland.
She won another relay bronze at the 2011 European Para Swimming Championships in Iceland.