Roderick Townsend wins third Paralympic gold in high jump, shows off style

With a hairstyle inspired by the eyes seen in a Picasso painting, Roderick Townsend, Team USA’s athletics captain, was prepared to secure his third consecutive gold medal at the Paralympics.

“I’m a showman,” Townsend explained, discussing the striking hairstyle he had created at a salon in Paris. “Had they been booing me? I’d probably still be jumping.”

Instead of boos, the crowd at Stade de France responded to Townsend’s efforts with enthusiastic support. His commanding presence led to cheers as he claimed victory in the T47 high jump finals, achieving a remarkable jump of 2.12 meters (6 feet, 11.5 inches). This win marked his third straight gold medal in the event, which features athletes with upper limb impairments or limited movement in one arm.

Team USA celebrated Townsend’s victory on social media, sharing an image with a “Three-Peat” theme and the title: “THE HIGH JUMP T47 KING.”

The 32-year-old Townsend, who has experienced upper right shoulder impairment due to nerve damage at birth, embraces his role as a “bad guy” in the competition. He aims to be the reason others do not win, and he eyes one more opportunity in the long jump competition scheduled for Tuesday.

To secure his gold medal in the high jump, Townsend had to outperform India’s Nishad Kumar, the silver medalist from the Tokyo Paralympics, who finished in second place once again in Paris. Kumar came close to the 2.12-meter mark during his three attempts but struck the bar each time. After the event, he took a moment on the mat to gather himself before Townsend approached him for a congratulatory embrace.

In a show of camaraderie, Townsend told Kumar that he is “phenomenal” and that his competitive spirit drives Townsend to achieve greater heights. He also humorously noted that he hopes Kumar collects as many silver medals as possible.

After his victory, images captured poignant moments between Townsend and his wife, Tynita, while she held their young son, Rodney. In one of the photos, Townsend celebrated with his son on the track, draped in the flag.

After surpassing Kumar, Townsend sought further success. In the Tokyo games, he set a record with a jump of 2.15 meters, later improving to 2.16 meters at the 2023 Paris World Championships. This time, he aimed for 2.17 meters.

Despite the crowd’s cheers and applause, Townsend was unable to break his own record. He later revealed he is still recuperating from a hernia suffered during the U.S. trials back in July.

As he prepares for the long jump, fans and fellow athletes alike eagerly look forward to what this incredible athlete will achieve next.

Source: CBS News