Vanessa Low: Paralympic Champion Chasing 6m, New Tattoos, And Leaping Towards LA 2028

Vanessa Low바카라�s story isn바카라�t just about destinations. They are dots on the map, each shaping her journey. Some of those dots shine brighter than the rest, three of them gleaming like Paralympic gold medals. She carries that journey on her skin, with coordinates inked on her right forearm, each a landmark in her story. (More Sports News)

These aren바카라�t just places. They mark where the 34-year-old chooses possibility where others see limitation. She embraces the brighter side, letting that belief shape her skin and life.

Her secret to success? Simple, just love the process. And if you think she바카라�s here just for the ongoing New Delhi World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, stay seated, as the long jump star is already leaping toward her bigger prize, the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, which will be held at the same venue in September.

This is not Low바카라�s first time in India. The multiple Paralympic medalist has 12°57바카라� N 77°37바카라� E inked on her left arm, a reminder of where it all began. The coordinates point to Bengaluru, where she made her international debut in 2009 at just 18.

Her experience then and now in 2025 is worlds apart.

Back in 2009, her international debut was anything but smooth. 바카라�It was very chaotic. The transport didn바카라�t work well, and there were all sorts of struggles, but I loved every minute of it,바카라� she recalls. She left without a medal, but the journey had only just begun, and she was eager to embrace every part of it.

Now representing Australia, Vanessa Low competed for her birth country, Germany, from 2009 to 2017. After marrying Paralympic champion sprinter Scott Reardon, she made Australia her home.

바카라�It feels like I have lived two different lives, but the best part is being embraced by both countries. When I won at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, the German team celebrated alongside me,바카라� she says.

Low바카라�s double life isn바카라�t just about the countries she has represented - it바카라�s about learning life all over again.

Born in Schwerin, Germany, she loved sports. But at 15, everything changed in an instant. She lost her balance on a platform and was struck by a train. Her left leg was severed on impact, and doctors had to amputate her right leg in a life-saving surgery.

She spent two weeks in a coma, waking up to a world she had to learn to navigate from scratch.

But did it stop her? Not a chance.

Low has become one of para sports바카라� most decorated athletes, turning adversity into dominance on the world stage.

She soared to gold in the women바카라�s long jump T42 event for Germany at the 2016 Rio Paralympics before switching allegiance to Australia after getting married.

The change only fueled her fire, she went on to claim back-to-back golds in the T63 category at the Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024 Games.

Her trophy cabinet also boasts World Championship titles in 2019 and 2024, along with a bronze in 2023. A career built on resilience, a legacy still soaring.

Her drive goes beyond medals and accolades.

바카라�I was both unfortunate and fortunate that I wasn바카라�t very talented when I started out. It took me seven years to win my first Paralympic medal,바카라� she admits.

Her drive isn바카라�t just about medals and accolades, it바카라�s about the grind, the lessons, and the love for the training.

바카라�I was both unfortunate and fortunate that I wasn바카라�t very talented when I started out. It took me seven years to win my first Paralympic medal,바카라� she says, a testament to how hard work outweighs talent every time.

When we think of a champion, we imagine endless training and competition. But for Low, motherhood is just as important.

Since having her son Matteo three years ago, she has been balancing sports and family. 바카라�It바카라�s not easy to train, recover, and still be there for my family. I just try to find the right balance,바카라� she says.

"Disability Talks Aren바카라�t Embarrassing - They Inform And Empower"

That raised an important question about conversations around disability. When asked how her son reacts to her prosthetics and the questions his friends ask, Low said, 바카라�He understands things now and is actually the odd one out in the family, with both me and Scott having amputations. His friends ask him about us, and he feels very proud. He thinks we have computerized legs, but I can see how much he adores us.바카라�

She believes open conversations are key.

바카라�We need to get people behind us, to spread awareness. Even before having my son, I knew how important it was to invite these discussions."

She added, "When I go to the grocery store, kids are naturally curious, but parents often feel embarrassed and try to shut the conversation down, thinking it바카라�s rude. But I believe people fear what they don바카라�t understand. So, I let the kids touch my leg and ask their silly questions. Suddenly, they get it, it바카라�s not a big deal anymore.바카라�

When asked about her suggestions for the organizing committee and her own preparations for para events, Low emphasized the importance of managing the heat. 바카라�Heat management will be on our minds. We hope to draw bigger crowds and get the word out,바카라� she said.

She also mentioned that it's not the case that people don't enjoy watching para sports, pointing out that the stadiums were packed during the Paralympics. "We just need to spread the word," she says.

Her words carried weight, especially considering the nearly empty stands on Day 1 of the New Delhi World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025.

What바카라�s Next For Vanessa Low After Conquering Every Major Stage?

She plans to keep competing at the highest level, 바카라�And I바카라�m far from done,바카라� she says. 바카라�I바카라�d love to hit the 6m mark. It might sound ambitious, but when I started, the world record was just 3.79m. I바카라�ve hit so many milestones already, and I jumped 5.92m in practice before the 2024 Olympics. So, 6m doesn바카라�t seem that far off now.바카라�

Her next big challenge? The 2028 Paralympics. Another medal, another milestone, maybe even another tattoo. And we바카라�re here for it.