Selection in the Australian Paralympic team is a dream come true for Melbourne’s Annabelle Colman. She started running, a sport she shares with her father Alan when she was 15 years old. Just 5 years later she has been selected for her first Paralympics.
Running cross country at school, Colman competed in the Australian Cross Country Championships in 2019 and then soon ventured to the Track where she achieved success setting Australian under age records and winning medals at National under age events.
After winning the Australian under 20 Para 1500m title in 2022 Colman’s coaches Anthony de Castella and Liz Gosper raised the possibility of becoming a Paralympian setting a goal that they have since worked towards.
Later that year Colman represented Australia at the Virtus Global Games in Brisbane winning Gold in the 800m and 1500m events.
2023 saw Colman win her first National Open title for the 1500m and as a result gained selection in the Australian team for the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris. The trip to Paris was a valuable lesson for the young athlete, her first overseas competition and her first competition against World record holder Barbara Bieganowska from Poland. The Australian team based themselves in Montpelier heading into the Championships, something they will do again this year leading into the Paralympics.
Colman learnt some valuable lessons in 2023 which she will take with her as she prepares for her first Paralympics. “I struggled with my diet when I was in Paris last year, so this year I will focus on my diet eating more protein and getting my pre-race meal right to ensure I am in the best condition for my race.” Colman said.
Colman’s focus in Paris isn’t on medals and placings but to run her best. “My goal in Paris is to run sub 4:40, to finish strong and run as fast as I can” Colman said.
Based on her current world ranking (3) a sub 4:40 time for Colman will have her in the hunt for a medal.
Colman has achieved so much in a short time , she is only the second Australian T20 female athlete to run sub 5:00 minutes for the 1500m, a feat she has now achieved on more than 20 occasions and more importantly she has achieved the Paralympic “B” qualifying time of sub 4:50.00 on 10 occasions with her fastest time being 4:40.58.
Colman is the current Australian record holder for the T20 Womens 1500m, a record previously held by Victoria’s Patricia Flavel (nee Whitaker). Flavel competed for Australia at the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney where she finished third in the T20 women’s 800m, a race won by Poland’s Barbara Bieganowska (nee Niewiedzial). With World record holder Bieganowska in the field in Paris, Colman will be assured of a fast pace and some tough competition.
Colman will depart Australia on the 16th of August headed for Montpelier where she will go into camp with the Australian team and then head to Paris and the Paralympic Village. Colman will be joined in Montpelier by her coach Anthony de Castella, with Mum (Meagan), Dad (Alan), Sister (Olivia), Grandparents and coach Liz Gosper making the trip to support her in Paris.
Back home in Australia Colman will have a lot of support from her athletics club Old Xaverians, Inclusive Sports Training squad and Rossbourne School.
Colman’s dream will come true on Friday 6 September when she races the Women’s T20 1500m.