SAINT-DENIS, France — As he entered his third Paralympic Games, Roderick Townsend was already a two-time gold medalist in high jump, having won at both the Tokyo and Rio Games.

On Sunday, Townsend achieved his third consecutive title.

The reigning world record holder set a new personal best for the season, clearing an impressive 6 feet, 11 1/2 inches. At 32 years old, he admitted to feeling a bit anxious before the event, partly due to his previous trials performance, but also out of respect for his competitors.

He highlighted fellow competitor Nishad Kumar as someone he enjoys facing in events.

“I understand how much he desires victory,” remarked Townsend about Kumar. “He knows how much I’m invested in this too. I can relate to that feeling from when I lost the long jump in Tokyo. He’s young and full of energy, and I know he’s capable of amazing achievements in the future.”

“I just hope he collects as many silver medals as he can,” Townsend joked with his usual humor.

Jaleen Roberts also shone bright, claiming silver in the T37 women’s long jump. Both Townsend and Roberts shared how special it was to compete with fans present, especially after the previous Games in Tokyo felt eerily silent.

“It felt like my first Games again,” Roberts said regarding the lively atmosphere from the fans in attendance. “The excitement was intensified, especially having a French athlete competing in my event. The crowd was electric, and I drew energy from that excitement and the pressure it brought.”

Roberts’ jump of 15 feet, 7 3/4 inches secured her second place; however, she believes that refining her technique could potentially elevate her performance and make her a strong contender for a gold medal in Los Angeles in 2028.

The night was eventful for the U.S. team, with two more athletes stepping onto the podium. Fresh from his gold win in the 5000 meters, Daniel Romanchuk added to his accolades with a bronze medal in the T54 400m, finishing in 45.11 seconds. After a tough moment in the 5000 that saw Brian Siemann miss out on a medal, he rallied to earn third place in the T53 men’s 400m.

Hunter Woodhall’s upcoming challenge

Hunter Woodhall moved on to the men’s 100m T64 final, securing third place in his heat with a time of 11.02 seconds, and he is set to return on Monday for the gold medal showdown.

Woodhall expressed satisfaction with progressing but emphasized the need to refine his technique.

“My initial steps felt strong, but then I got a bit too eager,” he shared. “I’ll make adjustments for the finals, and you’ll see the improvements tomorrow.”

Ezra Frech and Desmond Jackson also secured spots in Monday’s final for the T63 men’s 100m, placing third and fourth in their respective heats.