August 28, 2021
Tupou Neiufi wins gold in Tokyo
Tupou Neiufi wins gold in Tokyo
Tokyo, 27 August 2021
Paralympian Tupou Neiufi took a commanding lead to win gold in Tokyo tonight. Taking the medal tally for the New Zealand Paralympic Team to 2 medals including 1 gold and 1 silver.
Tupou Neiufi wins New Zealand first Gold medal at Tokyo Paralympics Photo Images Getty Images
Neiufi won a gold medal in the Women's 100m Backstroke S8 in a time of 1:16.84. She went into the event ranked number 2 in the world. Neiufi took a lead early on and after the turn at 50 metres pulled away to touch the wall 1.47 seconds ahead of silver medal winner Kateryna Denysenko (Ukraine) with a time of 1:18.31. Bronze went to Jessica Long (USA) n 1:18.55
Photo Image Getty Images
About Tupou Neiufi:
Disability/Classification – Hypertonia | S9, SB8, SM9
Resides – Auckland
Paralympian #201 Tupou Neiufi was first identified by Paralympics New Zealand in 2011 as part of a Para swimming talent identification programme. She then went on to make her Paralympic debut at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. At only 15 years of age, she placed 7th in the Women’s 100m Backstroke S9. Neiufi is currently ranked 2nd in the world, having won the silver medal in the Women’s 100m Backstroke S8 in the 2019 Para Swimming World Championships in London. Neiufi has a left sided hemiplegia, meaning she has paralysis on the left side of her body.
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