Tasmanian Paralympians

News brief – Tasmanian Institute of Sport, August 2021

Paralympic Selection Update

Paralympics Australia continued to confirm athletes as part of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic team. Alexandra Viney (Rowing) and Todd Hodgetts (Athletics) join Deon Kenzie (Athletics) as the three Tasmanian athletes selected.

Alexandra will make her debut in the mixed coxed four event.

Todd will participate in his third Paralympics competing in the shotput. He will be looking to add to the gold he won in London and the bronze he won at Rio.

Deon will compete at his second Paralympic games and will be looking to improve on the silver medal that he won in the 1500m at Rio.

The TIS wishes all three athletes the best of luck, the Paralympic Games commence August 24 2021

Image: Deon competing at the 2016 Rio Paralympics

Media release – Jane Howlett, Minister for Sport and Recreation, 10 August 2021

Tasmanian Paralympians in action

After Australia’s incredible efforts at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, it’s now time to get ready to cheer on our Paralympians in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games beginning on August 24.

Congratulations to Tasmanians Todd Hodgetts (shot put), Alexandra Viney (rowing) and Deon Kenzie (1500 metre) for gaining selection in the Australian team for the upcoming games.

This will be Hodgetts’ third games having won a Gold medal at the 2012 London Paralympics, which saw him awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2014, and a Bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

McKenzie will also be hoping to add to his impressive list of career achievements, which includes winning the Silver medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics along with medals at the 2013, 2015 and 2017 World Para Athletics Championships.

Alex Viney’s story is inspirational having survived a serious car accident when she was 18 years old which caused impairments to her left arm. Viney began her journey as a para-athlete in 2018 and placed second in the PR3 event and finished fourth at her first World Championships in 2019.

I wish these three outstanding Tasmanian athletes all the very best for the Games and can’t wait to watch them compete.