The goal of Paralympian #211 Danielle Aitchison to dip below 13 seconds by LA28 moved a step closer in Sydney earlier this month, as the four-time Paralympic medallist reclaimed the Women’s 100m T36 world record with a blistering time of 13.23.
Aitchison, who also set a world record of 27.18 in the Women’s 200m T36 at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, had not anticipated running so quickly on a chilly evening at the Australian Championships. In doing so, she broke the previous 100m T36 mark held by China’s Shi Yiting by 0.12 seconds.
“A real big focus for the next couple of years as we work towards LA28 is to run a 100m time in the 12 seconds,” explains Danielle, who previously held the Women’s 100m T36 record after posting 13.41 at the 2024 New Zealand Track & Field Championships. “I pictured a time of 13.2 but not until the Oceania Championships in Darwin next month, so I’m really pleased to have run 13.2 ahead of schedule.”
What offers even more encouragement is Danielle’s belief that there is more to come, admitting her start in Sydney was “terrible”— suggesting faster times are well within reach for the Cambridge-based Para sprinter.
“I had a very delayed reaction time and felt like I was still in the blocks when everyone else had gone,” she says. “It felt like I was there for a second and a half.”
While her start may have been less than perfect, she says the rest of the race unfolded like a dream. Danielle was particularly pleased that apart from the start she executed a technically proficient race at around 97 percent of her capacity, as planned.
“I often run my races at 100 percent, and although this sounds counterintuitive, that doesn’t always equate to a good time,” she explains. “When I back off slightly, it allows me to run smoother and more efficiently, which works out faster overall.”
She only discovered just how fast she had run a few minutes after crossing the finish line, when a photographer told her she had smashed the world record.
“When I was told I had run 13.23, it was like, ‘No way.’ I couldn’t believe it — I had to check the results to confirm it. It was a big shock.”
Next, Danielle heads to the Oceania Championships in Darwin (18–23 May) full of confidence.
“If I can execute those technical elements again and make a more dynamic start, that should translate into faster times,” she says. “But I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. I’ve already achieved 13.2 at the Australian Championships, and I’m curious to see what I can do at the Oceania Championships, especially with the warmer conditions in Darwin.”
Danielle pays tribute to the team behind her 13.23 world record performance:
Strength and Conditioning Coach – George Wardell
Danielle: “George has been my strength and conditioning coach since I began as a high performance Para athlete and now oversees my training programme. He and my former coach, Alan McDonald, who has since retired, used to work closely together.
“I’ve made a number of small changes with George, which has been exciting because those tweaks have made a big difference. Coming from a biomechanical background, he is very analytical. It’s been refreshing to have a new voice at training and to see those changes come to fruition as I work towards my LA28 goals.”
Wider Support Team
Danielle: “In my pursuit of running a 12-second 100m, my High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) team — nutritionist Lucy Trollope, performance life advisor Christina Jacklin, and physio Kelsi Parker — are pivotal to my success.
“The team complements one another and is always evolving. We’re constantly looking at how I can improve. We’ve had many interesting conversations about what I should prioritise, and we’ve recently brought in a mental skills coach to help guide those discussions and encourage more critical thinking.”
Partner – Sam Cook
Danielle: “Sam and I have been together for seven years, so he knew me before I became a high performance Para athlete. That’s important because being an athlete can be all-consuming, and some people see it as my whole identity. With Sam, it’s nice to come home and have normal conversations outside of Para athletics.
“He’s also been incredibly supportive throughout my career, especially at home. We recently bought a house together, and when I’m away, I don’t have to worry about things like bills or looking after the puppy. I do get homesick when I’m training or competing overseas, so I really value those calls home. He does so much for me – picking up extra chores so I can rest and recover.”
Cover image: Casey Sims
