by SAINT-DENIS, France — While nothing is certain on the track, it would be hard to find two runners as confident of winning as Team USA’s Jaydin Blackwell and Ryan Medrano, who won gold and silver in the men’s T38 400 meters on Tuesday at the Stade de France.
It is the second time in four nights that the duo have finished first and second in their respective races, with Blackwell placing on the top step of the podium each time.
On Saturday, Blackwell broke his own world record in the men’s T38 100m with a time of 10.64 seconds. Medrano crossed the line just behind him in 10.97 seconds.
From the start of the race, it was clear that the two American sprinters would battle it out again, as Blackwell once again crossed the line in first with a time of 48.49 seconds, tying the world record. Medrano followed, finishing the race in 49.74 seconds to place second.
“This is the first time I’ve been looking forward to running a 400 meters,” Medrano said. “I’ve been preparing relentlessly for this. [running] “I was going over 200, 300, I was getting personal bests in every workout, so I was excited. I wanted to get under 50.”
Medrano not only achieved his goal, but also set a personal best in the race.
Blackwell said he relished the time spent with his teammate.
“I’m just happy to be able to run with him every time we go out,” he said. “It’s nothing, just a little friendly competition, nothing more.”
Ezra Frech wins second gold medal in two nights
Being the world record holder didn’t guarantee an easy victory for 19-year-old Ezra Frech at his second Paralympic Games.
Frech kept the T63 high jump podium photo from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games as a screensaver on his phone to motivate himself for the Paris Games – a photo he was not a part of.
On Tuesday, Frech made his dream come true and completed his stay in France with a first place, clearing 1.94 meters and winning gold.
“I thought maybe I could change it, maybe I could leave it,” Frech said of his phone’s home screen. “Maybe I’ll just leave it to stay motivated, because it’s still a part of me. I lost it. It’s still motivating.”
Frech joked that he might change that to his fifth-place finish in the long jump for added motivation in Los Angeles in 2028.
While he was the favourite heading into the evening after breaking the world record in Miramar during the trials, Frech had to contend with Sharad Kumar and Mariyappan Thangavelu of India. The jumpers finished second and third respectively, but both spent time at the top of the standings ahead of Frech before he slipped away in the final two attempts.
“I have nothing but the greatest respect for my competitors,” Frech said. “They are all great jumpers. I expected everyone to jump very, very high, especially in a stadium like this.”
Americans on the podium
Overall, the Americans put on a good showing Tuesday at the Stade de France, with a few other athletes winning medals.
Brittni Mason won her third Paralympic medal and second overall in the women’s T47 100m, taking silver with a time of 12.10 seconds.
Susannah Scaroni added to the U.S. tally with a bronze in the women’s T54 1,500m in 3:16.68.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ezra Frech, Jaydin Blackwell win Paralympic gold again
