Maria Strong (athlete)

Maria "Maz" Strong (born 11 March 1971) is an Australian Paralympic athlete. They won a bronze medal in Women's shot put F33 at the 2020 Summer Paralympics, where they were among the first three out non-binary Paralympians.

Maria Strong
Strong in 2021
Personal information
Nickname(s)Maz
NationalityAustralian
Born (1971-03-11) 11 March 1971
Sport
CountryAustralia
SportParalympic athletics
ClubAthletics Essendon
Medal record
Para-athletics
Representing  Australia
Paralympic Games
2020 Tokyo Women's shot put F33

Personal life

Strong was born on 11 March 1971.[1] They have cerebral palsy and have also been diagnosed with autism, epilepsy, and a brain injury that they acquired after experiencing status epilepticus (a seizure) in their twenties.[2] As of 2021, Strong lives in Melbourne and works as a swimming instructor.[2] They are non-binary.[3]

Athletics

Strong has been an athletics official since 2014 and then decided to take up the shot put at the age of 46.[2] They are classified as F33 and coached by Australian Paralympian John Eden.[2]

Strong's first international competition was the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai, where they placed fifth in the Women's shot put F33.[1] They bettered this performance at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, winning a bronze medal in the Women's shot put F33 and setting a new Oceanian record with a throw of 6.63m.[4][5] They are among the first three out non-binary Paralympians, alongside Robyn Lambird and Laura Goodkind.[6]

Recognition

Strong was awarded the Disability Sport and Recreation's Masters Sports Person of the Year at the 2018 Victorian Disability Sport and Recreation Awards.[2][7][8]

References
  1. "Maria Strong". Dubai 2019 Results. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  2. "Maria Strong". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  3. Zaru, Deena (23 August 2021). "Tokyo Paralympics welcome record number of LGBTQ athletes". ABC News. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  4. "Australian results Tokyo Paralympic Games Day 9, Aussies in action: Four gold medals in an extraordinary night for the green and gold". Sporting News. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  5. "Olympic St. - Seated Shot Put - 2 Sep - 19:48 - Official". Olympics.com. 2 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  6. "At least 34 out LGBTQ Paralympians competing in Tokyo, a record number". Outsports. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  7. "Stronger in more ways than one". The Herald Sun. 11 August 2018. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  8. Barnes, Josh (13 August 2018). "Strong start to Games bid". Moreland Leader. p. 1.
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