Redlands Coast athletes on the world stage

Two Redlands Coast swimmers will be coming home with medals around their necks after proving their prowess in the pool at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Paige Leonhardt from Thornlands and Jake Michel from Birkdale were part of the Australian Para-swimming team and both had won silver medals.

“Paige brilliantly bagged her silver medal in the 100m butterfly final and gave her all to finish sixth in the 100m breaststroke final on Sunday. The 20-year-old also made the finals of the 200m individual medley, again finishing sixth,” Cr Williams said.

“Jake, 23, scored a silver medal in his one and only event, the men’s 100m breaststroke. He was narrowly beaten by Japanese swimmer Naohide Yamaguchi who set a new world record.

“Well done Jake and Paige on their brilliant swims.”

Cr Williams said the medal success followed a strong representation by Redlands Coast athletes at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

She said she was proud of the athletes for not only their prowess on the sporting fields and venues of Tokyo, but also for the fairness and respect they displayed during competition.

“The 2020 Olympic Games were a stunning success during difficult times and a lot of that came down to the performances of the athletes themselves from all countries and all disciplines,” Cr Williams said.

Redlands Coast athletes who competed in Tokyo included:

Mara Stransky of Russell Island finished 14th in the Women’s Laser Radial class. Cassiel Rousseau of Ormiston showed promise in the men’s diving 10m platform, finishing 8th in the final. Fellow diving team member and former Redlands Coast resident Melissa Wu took home a bronze medal in the women’s 10m platform. Taylor Worth of Birkdale made it to round 16 in the men’s archery individual event. Alannah Mathews of Sheldon competed as part of the five-member rhythmic gymnastics group. Shannon Parry of Cleveland was part of the women’s rugby sevens squad who unfortunately were unable to replicate their gold medal win in Rio 2016, losing to Fiji in the quarter finals. Emily Gielnik of Alexandra Hills was part of the Matildas Olympic squad who made it to the semi-finals and narrowly missed bringing home a bronze medal. and BMX freestyler Logan Martin who lives in Maudsland but has trained in Redland Bay for many years made history to become the first men’s BMX freestyle gold medallist.

Cr Williams said the athletes’ achievements were another reminder of the level of excellence being reached by sporting clubs right across Redlands Coast.

“Redlands Coast residents will have the exciting opportunity to see and support Australian athletes competing right in their own backyard when the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games come to Brisbane,” she said.

“Redlands Coast will be an event venue city for the Canoe Slalom events at the Brisbane 2032 Games.

“This is a fantastic opportunity, not only for locals to enjoy the spectacle and excitement of a Games event, but also to showcase our wonderful Redlands Coast to the world.

“A purpose-built Olympic-standard Redland Whitewater Centre to host the canoe slalom events is part of the integrated Redlands Coast Adventure Sports Precinct for which Birkdale Community Precinct on Old Cleveland Road East, Birkdale, is the preferred site.”