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Danielle Aitchison

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Danielle Aitchison
Personal information
Born (2001-08-16) 16 August 2001 (age 23)
Morrinsville, New Zealand
Sport
Country New Zealand
SportPara-athletics
DisabilityCerebral palsy
Disability classT36
ClubHamilton City Hawks Athletics
Medal record
Women's para-athletics
Representing  New Zealand
Paralympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2020 Tokyo 200m T36
Silver medal – second place 2024 Paris 100 m T36
Silver medal – second place 2024 Paris 200 m T36
Bronze medal – third place 2020 Tokyo 100m T36
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2023 Paris 200m T36
Gold medal – first place 2024 Kobe 200m T36
Silver medal – second place 2019 Dubai 200m T36
Silver medal – second place 2024 Kobe 100m T36

Danielle Aitchison (born 16 August 2001) is a New Zealand para-athlete. She competes in the 100 metres and 200 metres in international events.[1][2][3] She won a gold medal with a new Oceania record in the women’s 200-metre T36 at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris, France in July 2023.[4][5]

Personal life

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Aitchison was born in Morrinsville in 2001 and grew up in Patetonga in the Hauraki District.[1][6] She attended Kaihere School.[7] She was born with severe jaundice, cerebral palsy and 80-90% hearing loss. She has two uncommon types of cerebral palsy: athetoid and ataxia. She has cochlear implants in both ears.[6][7] While growing up Aitchison participated in ballet, netball and hockey.

Career

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Aitchison began competing in para-athletics at age 16 in 2017, at the Halberg Junior Disability Games in Auckland, New Zealand.[6] She has competed in long jump and won a national title in the event.[7]

In 2019 she represented New Zealand internationally for the first time at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.[6] She finished fourth in the 100m event and won silver in the 200m event with an Oceania record time (29.86sec).[7]

Competing at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in the women's 200 metres T36, Aitchison finished fastest in her heat. In the final, Aitchison won silver with a time of 29.88.[8][9] She also won bronze in the women's 100 metres T36.[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Health challenges prove no barrier for Waikato teen Danielle Aitchison". stuff.co.nz. 5 February 2018. Archived from the original on 5 October 2018.
  2. ^ "Danielle Aitchison - Athletics New Zealand". Athletics New Zealand. 9 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 December 2019.
  3. ^ "Teenage Dreams". Athletics New Zealand. 6 June 2019. Archived from the original on 22 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Aitchison sprints to world para athletics gold". NZ Herald. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  5. ^ Landells, Steve (15 July 2023). "Aitchison blitzes to epic 200m gold medal success". Athletics New Zealand. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d "Danielle Aitchison - Athletics | Paralympic Athlete Profile". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  7. ^ a b c d "Tokyo Paralympics: After struggling to walk, NZ sprinter Danielle Aitchison goes for gold". Stuff. 21 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Tokyo Paralympics 2020: Kiwi sprinter Danielle Aitchison claims silver in T36 200m final". Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  9. ^ "Sprinter Danielle Aitchison gunning for medal in Tokyo". TVNZ. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  10. ^ "Tokyo Paralympics: Danielle Aitchison wins second medal, bronze in women's 100m final". Stuff. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
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