SAINT-DENIS, France — Leading up to the 100-meter T38 final at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Jaydin Blackwell maintained a clear mindset on Saturday.

“Just focus on yourself, just run your race, don’t stress about anything else,” Blackwell recounted his pre-race mantra.

When the race began, he initially felt sluggish and doubted he would match the world-record time he had set earlier in the summer at the U.S. Paralympic track and field trials. However, he exceeded even his own expectations.

The Oak Park, Michigan native sprinted to victory with a new world record time of 10.64 seconds, securing a gold medal. Following closely behind was American Ryan Medrano, who claimed silver with a time of 10.97 seconds, while Team USA’s Nick Mayhugh finished seventh at 11.37 seconds.

“It was an incredible race,” Blackwell expressed. “I concentrated on what I needed to do and just aimed to cross the finish line as swiftly as I could. I’m grateful for the abilities I have.”

Both Blackwell and Medrano had a remarkable Paralympic debut. They share a tight friendship that includes not only training together but also spending time together off the track. There’s a bit of friendly rivalry present as well.

Blackwell admitted that running alongside Medrano energizes him. Conversely, Medrano sees it as a motivation to keep pace with his teammate, pushing himself to become the fastest American sprinter.

“Watching Jaydin speed by has definitely encouraged me to push my limits,” Medrano stated. “I aim to catch up to him. With Jaydin clocking a 10.64, I’ve got a lot of training ahead of me—especially to lose some weight since I’m currently at 210 pounds. But being on this team drives me to improve as much as I can.”

Both athletes will return to compete in the 400 meters, with the final scheduled for Tuesday. Blackwell has been diligently preparing to secure a gold medal in that event, while Medrano aims to challenge him.

Blackwell’s coach has been tough on him, requiring repeated 600-meter runs during training to enhance his endurance for the 400 meters. Combined with significant strength training, Blackwell is set to vie for another gold medal.

At just 20 years old, he has already made a significant mark with a world record and a gold medal in one of the most significant events of his career.

“I try not to focus on everything at once, as that can overwhelm anyone,” Blackwell explained. “ I prefer to take it step by step and move on only after I’ve completed each task.”

Gold Medal for Daniel Romanchuk in the 5,000 T54

Daniel Romanchuk achieved gold in the 5,000 T54 category with a time of 10:55.28. This victory marks the first gold in Romanchuk’s three Paralympic appearances.

He narrowly edged out world record holder and silver medalist Marcel Hug, who finished at 10:55.78.

“It’s a tremendous honor to win gold for the U.S.,” Romanchuk stated. “Ultimately, records can be broken; I see them as goals to strive for rather than possessions.”

Liza Corso Wins Bronze in the Women’s 1,500 T13

Liza Corso faced challenges leading to her second Paralympics. The New Hampshire athlete managed only 8 miles of training in six weeks after suffering a stress fracture in her femur.

Despite her injury, Corso finished the 1,500-meter T13 race in 4:23.45, securing a bronze medal.

“I pushed myself through the past six weeks of hard work and faced the anxiety of whether my leg would hold up during the race,” Corso shared.

Corso had to overcome significant psychological obstacles associated with her injury, not feeling entirely fit leading into the competition. However, her support system at Lipscomb University assisted her in managing those mental hurdles.

Liza Corso mentioned that the Bison team organized a watch party for her race. She also received numerous supportive texts as she prepared for Saturday’s final.

Now, Corso has added another medal to her collection, having previously won silver in Tokyo.

“It was overwhelming. There was a lot of pressure and nerves leading up to it, and endless hours training hard on the bike,” Corso reflected. “Knowing the dedication I put in made this experience truly special.”

Americans on the Podium

Saturday was a bustling day at the Stade de France.

Susannah Scaroni secured the first medal of the day for the U.S., finishing second in the women’s 5,000-meter T54 event, where she holds the world record. Additionally, Beatriz Hatz, hailing from Littleton, Colorado, brought home bronze in the women’s long jump T64.

Noah Malone capped off the evening for the Americans by winning a silver medal in the men’s 100-meter T12 race.