Dawes leads three NSWIS wheelchair racers through to 1500m finals

The NSWIS had three women representing Australia in the 1500m T54 wheelchair heats – Angie Ballard, Madison de Rozario and Christie Dawes – and all-time great– Kurt Fearnley in the men’s 1500m heats.

Dawes clocked a personal best of 3:28.57 to finish fourth in her heat to qualify fifth fastest for the final, with de Rozario second in the first heat, progressing through to the final as the ninth quickest in the 10-woman field.

American Amanda McGrory set a new Paralympic record on 3:22.75 in winning Dawes’ heat.

Dual bronze medallist already in Rio, Ballard failed to qualify after finishing 7^th in her heat.

Fearnley finished fourth in his heat and only the top three automatically qualified. But the heat was so fast, he snuck into the final as the next fastest time.

“Pretty lucky,” Fearnley told the Australian Paralympic Committee’s media team.

“I sat out wide for a long time and tried to set the pace reasonably quick. So I’ll take those gifts.”

Both the women’s and men ‘s finals will be held tomorrow – day 6.