Chad Perris named to Australian Paralympic Team for Tokyo

Western Australian representation on the Australian Paralympic Team grows to four with Rio Paralympian Chad Perris selected to the team for Tokyo.

Perris, known as the White Tiger, claimed bronze in the 100m T13, in Rio and has been a consistent name on the world stage with podium finishes at the past two world championships, with bronze in 2017 and silver in 2019.

29-year-old Perris is based at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, where he is coached by the world renowned Iryna Dvoskina, who has coached athletes to 29 Paralympic medals.

“Basically the last seven years, it’s been six days a week with Iryna, two training sessions a day and we’re on the phone on the days off,” Perris said.

“Iryna is awesome and she puts so much work in for me. I came off the track in Rio and as exciting as it was, the first thing she said to me was ‘your Games will be in Tokyo, this is just one step closer’.

“I’m just really excited to get out there and to show her and everyone else who has been on the journey what we can achieve together.”

Perris joins the previously selected Rhiannon Clarke, Sarah Edmiston and Madison de Rozario. Further selections will be made in the coming months.

Kate McLoughlin, Chef de Mission of the 2020 Australian Paralympic Team, said she was very excited to see what Perris and Turner can deliver in Tokyo.

“I want to extend my congratulations to Jimmy and Chad on their Paralympic selection. It’s an outstanding achievement, particularly during what has been an uncertain and difficult journey to Tokyo so far.

“The overall success of the Australian Paralympic Team will be reliant on strong performances from our Para-athletics team and I’m sure that Jimmy and Chad will be eager to make a valuable contribution.

“They have already proven themselves as wonderful ambassadors for Paralympic sport and I’m proud to be sharing another Paralympic Games experience with them.”