Pardy and Clarke Medal at Arafura Games

Australian Flame hopefuls Ella Pardy and Rhiannon Clarke have both produced multi-medal campaigns at last week’s Arafura Games in the Northern Territory.

Paralympian Pardy picked up two gold medals, whilst Clarke – who is aiming to make a first world championships team in 2019, having starred with a silver medal at last year’s Commonwealth Games – enjoyed a three medal haul which included dual gold.

The pair went head to head in the 100m ambulant final in Darwin, which Pardy won by a whisker. The 28 year-old clocked 13.37sec to narrowly pip the 16 year-old Clarke in 13.49sec.

The pair then teamed up to run as members of a composite Australian relay team in the mixed 800 medley. Joining the Perth talents were Ari Gesini and Brayden Davidson. The quartet were too quick for the field earning line honours in 1:56.32min.

Ahead of the relay, Clarke also secured an individual gold medal, winning the 200m ambulant final in a slick time of 27.65sec.

The pair are both well placed for selection for Australia’s team to compete at the IPC World Championships in Dubai in November.

Meanwhile, another Perth athlete aiming for selection on the Australian Flame team this year is marathon runner Matt Felton.

Felton tackled the London Marathon last weekend, completing the gruelling course in 2:45.33hrs for sixth place in the men’s T46 category.

The result marked a new personal best for the 28 year-old, whilst there was also a bronze medal feat for Perth born NSWIS athlete Madison de Rozario in the women’s wheelchair marathon.