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q&a with goalball athlete and paralympian brodie smith

Recap: Goalballer Brodie Smith’s Paralympic Games Journey

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games may have already ended, but its positive impact among Para-athletes and the international community of people with disability is something that will last a lifetime. For 23-year-old goalball athlete Brodie Smith of the Aussie Belles, her Paralympics debut is a dream come true.    

brodie smith at the tokyo 2020 paralympics
All smiles during the Paralympic Games.

Fun, determined, and committed  — Brodie is the embodiment of a true Para-athlete: one who rises to the occasion despite the challenges that lie ahead.   

“My experience at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games is one that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Considering these games weren’t meant to go ahead because of the pandemic, to be able to still compete in Tokyo and in a sport that I love is something that is truly special. I haven’t competed for over 18 months and to finally be able to get back on the court was everything I dreamt of,” Brodie says.

Brodie and the Aussie Belles made a momentous win after beating Canada (4-3 win) and the former World Champions, the Russian Paralympic Committee (4-1 win), in the earlier matches. And for the first time in Paralympic history, this milestone eventually secured the Aussie team a spot in the quarter-finals. The Aussie Belles eventually lost against Turkey (10-6 lost).

Brodie adds, “I am grateful to have my teammates by my side. While we didn’t get the outcome we wanted, we still made history and that’s something I will forever be proud of.”

Brodie first started learning goalball when she was 14 years old at a Braille Camp in Sydney. The idea of traveling around the world while playing the sport appealed most to her. She also won her first gold at the 2017 Youth World Championships in Budapest.

“Winning the Youth World Championships only fuelled my fire to take my career to the biggest stage possible one day: The Paralympic Games. Coming from a background where I didn’t enjoy sport as a child to participating in a global competition, is something that I won’t ever take for granted. I’m extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to represent myself, Australia and the sport of Goalball,” she says.

#BrodieTakesOnTokyo:

Check out these fun snaps of Brodie’s journey at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

On board her flight to Tokyo.
The Aussie Belles at the Paralympic Village
The Aussie Belles together with Brodie’s dad (Simon) and their coach (Peter) at the Paralympic Village.
Brodie and her dad, Simon Smith, at the opening ceremony.
With the Aussie Belles.
While watching the Opening Ceremony.
Sleepover with the Aussie Belles.
Brodie competing at the games.

All photos and videos are supplied by Brodie Smith.

NDSP Plan Managers is an Official Supporter of the Australian Paralympic Team. 

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