Maria Strong (athlete)

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Maria Strong
300821 Strong Tokyo KM edit.jpg
Strong in 2021
Personal information
Nickname(s)Maz
NationalityAustralian
Born (1971-03-11) 11 March 1971 (age 50)
Sport
CountryAustralia
SportParalympic athletics
ClubAthletics Essendon
Medal record
Para-athletics
Representing  Australia
Paralympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2020 Tokyo Women's shot put F33

Maria "Maz" Strong (born 11 March 1971) is an Australian Paralympic athlete. They won a bronze medal in Women's shot put F33 at the 2020 Summer Paralympics, where they were among the first three out non-binary Paralympians.

Personal life[]

Strong was born on 11 March 1971.[1] They have cerebral palsy and were also been diagnosed with autism, epilepsy, and a brain injury that they acquired after experiencing status epilepticus in their twenties.[2] As of 2021, Strong lives in Melbourne and works as a swimming instructor.[2] They are non-binary.[3]

Athletics[]

Strong has been an athletics official since 2014 and then decided to take up the shot put at the age of 46.[2] They are classified as F33 and coached by Australian Paralympian John Eden.[2]

Strong's first international competition was the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai, where they placed fifth in the Women's shot put F33.[1] They bettered this performance at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, winning a bronze medal in the Women's shot put F33 and setting a new Oceanian record with a throw of 6.63m.[4][5] They are among the first three out non-binary Paralympians, alongside Robyn Lambird and .[6]

Recognition[]

Strong was awarded the Disability Sport and Recreation's Masters Sports Person of the Year at the 2018 Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards.[2][7][8]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Maria Strong". Dubai 2019 Results. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Maria Strong". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  3. ^ Zaru, Deena (23 August 2021). "Tokyo Paralympics welcome record number of LGBTQ athletes". ABC News. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Australian results Tokyo Paralympic Games Day 9, Aussies in action: Four gold medals in an extraordinary night for the green and gold". Sporting News. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  5. ^ "Olympic St. - Seated Shot Put - 2 Sep - 19:48 - Official". Olympics.com. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  6. ^ "At least 34 out LGBTQ Paralympians competing in Tokyo, a record number". Outsports. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Stronger in more ways than one". The Herald Sun. 11 August 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  8. ^ Barnes, Josh (13 August 2018). "Strong start to Games bid". Moreland Leader. p. 1.

External links[]

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