Australia have claimed their first medal at the Beijing Winter Paralympics after Ben Tudhope won bronze in the men’s snowboard cross SB-LL2.
Appearing at his third Winter Paralympics, the 22-year-old was at the back of the four-man field for most of the Big Final, however a strong finish in the final straight saw Tudhope overtake China’s Sun Qi to cross the finish line in third position.
The race was won by Finland’s Matti Suur-Hamari, who also won gold at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Paralympics, with Garrett Geros from the United States claiming the silver medal.
Speaking to the Seven Network after the race, Tudhope said he never gave up hope of winning a medal in the final.
“I pushed and pushed and pushed,” Tudhope said.
“I never gave up … I thought I was gone at the start as I was at the back. To get to the bronze-medal position, I cannot describe it. It’s insane, it’s insane.”
Tudhope said he hoped his bronze medal performance would inspire the younger generation to chase their dreams.
“If there is any kid out there with cerebral palsy, with a disability: you can achieve anything,” he said.
“You saw me do it here. I never thought I would be in this moment today and look where I am.”
Gold-medalist Suur-Hamari and Tudhope, plus Canadian Alex Massie who missed the Big Final, are all members of ‘Team Unicorn’ and the trio compete and train together.
Following his triumph, Tudhope paid tribute to his team mates.
“This team is something else. It’s honestly incredible,” Tudhope told reporters.
“I couldn’t do it without them, I couldn’t be here without them and they mean the world to me. That’s exactly what we do to each other. If it’s not me on the top of the podium I want them there.”
Moments after crossing the finish line, Tudhope fist-pumped and shouted in jubilation when he realised he’d grabbed third place. Tudhope and Suur-Hamari were then caught in a big bear hug by Massie.
“So excited for both of those boys. They’re my best friends, they’re my brothers. Seeing them on the podium, it feels almost as good as being there myself,” Massie said.
Massie said he was proud of Tudhope and he fought hard to claim third place.
“Tuddy, what a show from him in the finals there. Never gave up and he worked his way right to the bottom and coming home with a medal. So I’m super stoked for the kid.”
Suur-Hamari was also delighted in Tudhope’s breakthrough performance.
“It’s amazing. This was our dream for the Paralympics,” he said.
‘Team Unicorn’ coach Mikko Wendelin passed away in November 2019, with both Tudhope and Suur-Hamari paying tribute to him after their medals.
Australian co-captain Tudhope is the second Aussie to win a medal in the Paralympic snowboard cross events after Simon Patmore won gold in the men’s snowboard cross SB-UL in 2018 at PyeongChang and collected a bronze in the banked slalom event.
Tudhope became Australia’s youngest ever Winter Paralympian when he was selected for Sochi in 2014 at the age of just 14.
Tudhope, the world number one para snowboarder, proudly donned an Australian flag on the podium and will next compete in the banked slalom in Beijing.