Thornlands swimmer Paige Leonhardt has earned her first silver Paralympic medal at the Tokyo games after achieving a personal best in the women's 100 metre butterfly S14.
At her second Paralympics, Leonhardt flew through the pool in her first race of the games to clinch silver, finishing just ahead of Australian team mate Ruby Storm.
Russian Paralympic athlete Valeriia Shabalina set a new world record in the race, finishing 1.89 seconds ahead of Leonhardt.
Her mother Tanya Leonhardt said she was emotional watching her daughter swim on the world stage.
"It had to be one of her best times, and for her to get a PB behind a world-record holder was just amazing."
"Watching it unfold from the heats to the finals, I knew it was going to be a very tight race and she would have to put on a very solid performance because she was up against the world's best," Ms Leonhardt said.
Leonhardt had to get creative in preparation for Tokyo, training in the ocean on the Gold Coast, in her backyard pool and on land.
"I haven't been with her for a couple of months now, and I'm just so proud because she has put in a lot of hard work over the last five years," she said.
Ms Leonhardt said her daughter posted a podium picture on Instagram with the caption, "Silver don't look too bad at all," and was excited about achieving the PB when she spoke on the phone post-race.
"The first thing she said to me was "did you see my time?" so she was very elated to have done that PB at the games.
"She doesn't see silver as second place, she's just outstanding."
Her next races are the 100 metre breaststroke and the individual medley.
"She was back at training this morning and went to the gym so it's business as usual to prepare for those races, there's no days off," Ms Leonhardt said.
Emily Lowe
Redland City Bulletin journalist covering community, politics, crime and human interest stories. Griffith University Alumni.
Redland City Bulletin journalist covering community, politics, crime and human interest stories. Griffith University Alumni.
