Anna Grimaldi unleashed an electrifying performance to earn the first gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games for New Zealand.
Grimaldi won the women’s 200m T47 final in a stunning Oceania record time of 24.72 seconds. She could have broken the world record but appeared to ease up late due to a comfortable lead.
The 27-year-old Dunedin-based athlete, who had earlier in the day set an Oceania record of 25.09 in the heats, once again improved upon her time to claim a comprehensive victory from Brittni Mason of the United States.
Regarded as her third-string event, the result was sensational, particularly following the disappointment of Grimaldi finishing fourth in the defence of her Women’s Long Jump T47 title the previous day.
![Anna Grimaldi of New Zealand celebrates winning gold in the Women's 200m - T47 . Photo / Getty Images](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/J3WSJTKYGVA2ZGTSJN4MEC35QQ.jpg?auth=bc31f9f5355e55bb169052215c593bfcd26b5f5772559761699479b04da77064&width=16&height=10&quality=70&smart=true)