Peel-based Paralympian Russell Boaden has returned home with a gold medal draped around his neck after helping the Australian sailing team top the podium at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
The team cruised to a historic victory in the regatta, wrapping up first place for the green and gold before the final day of competition.
Boaden said being presented his gold medal is a feeling he would cherish forever.
“Every bit of hard work you put in, every world championship you compete at, it all leads up to the (Paralympic) games,” he said.
“To win the gold there is something I will never forget, there’s no feeling like it.”
The crowning victory comes more than 20 years after Boaden was involved in a motorcycle crash that led to him suffering from a physical impairment called brachial plexus, which restricts the movement in his right arm.
About 10 years after the accident, in 2004, Boaden became enthralled by sailing and left behind his day job as a chef.
He quickly picked up the sport, and first donned a green and gold uniform to represent Australia in 2006. Two years after he earned a podium finish at his first Paralympic games in Beijing in 2008, where he and his team collected a bronze medal.
After missing out on the 2012 London games, the Hamel local was keen to succeed at Rio.
Boaden and his team acclimatised themselves to the Rio scene with five training-based trips to the Brazilian capital before the games began.
They also spent time training in Sydney to keep their craft at its finest.
“We trained in Rio as much as possible to make sure we were familiar with the surroundings and the style of competition, which I think benefited us a lot,” he said.
“At the games we were kind of sheltered and didn’t get to go into the village much, but you could still feel the hype of the games around the city.
“We had to shut that out a bit to make sure we sailed well and everyone did their part to perfection.”
Now, Boaden has returned home to cheering fans, friends and family.
“There’s a lot of different emotions going through your mind when you’re up there winning the medal,” he said.
“It took a few days for it all to sink in, so I think the really enjoyable part of it all is coming home to everyone who has supported you for such a long time.
“All the people you know clapping you on the back and the celebration parades – it makes for a huge sense of pride.”
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
