Vanessa Low - charting her course to sporting excellence, one coordinate at a time 

Vanessa Low: A decorated para athlete with an inspiring journey from Germany to Australia, aiming for more success.

When she first came to India 16 years ago, Vanessa Low was a German teenager seeking her first international classification, unaware of what the future had in store for her. The 34-year old is now back in the country as one of the most decorated para athletes of all times with no plans of slowing down.

Consider this: Low’s medal cabinet boasts of four Paralympic medals – three of them gold – an incredible eight Para World Championship medals and four European Championships ones. She is also one of the few people to become a Paralympic champion for two countries, having moved to Australia in 2017 after marriage to fellow Paralympian Scott Readron, across two different events on the track (100m T42) and field (Long Jump T63).

“It feels like I have lived two different lives but I am lucky to be embraced by both countries. When I won at Tokyo and Paris, the German team celebrated alongside me,” Low said on the sidelines of the maiden World Para Athletics Grand Prix here.

One of the few big names to participate in the 30day event, Low admitted the World Championships later this year was one of the reasons for her to make the trip. “It’s always nice to test things ahead of the World Championships. We actually expected it to be quite chaotic and we have seen the opposite, it’s very well structured and everyone’s really helpful. We are aware that the surface is going to be relaid before the competition, it’s not horrible but it definitely needs an update and the people here will benefit,” she revealed.

For the love of the sport

When she first came in 2009 for the World AbilitySport Games (IWAS World Games) in Bengaluru, para sports and athletes were barely recognised in the country and it reflected in her memories from back then. “It was really funny and chaotic. We just had to go along with whatever was, the transfers didn’t work well and we had a lot of struggles but I loved every moment. I think that’s where, when we expect the perfect conditions and everything just to be running smoothly, we sometimes forget that the reason we’re here is for the sport. What I took home then was a love for the sport and getting to meet people all around the world.

“What has really changed since then is the sport has become a lot more professional and when you come to events like this, you see them structured and really professional. That has definitely evolved and I think there’s more of the governments appreciating and hosting such events,” she said.