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Michal Burian

Michal Burian (born 27 June 1992)[1] is a Czech-born Australian Paralympic javelin thrower. He won a silver medal at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.[2] Two years later, he secured another silver medal at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships. In both competitions, his achievements were clinched during the final round with a clutch throw, proving Burian's ability to perform under pressure.

Personal

Burian was born with club foot[3] and grew up in the Czech Republic. He arrived in Australia in 2012, on a six-month visa and speaking little English.[3] He soon decided to settle in Australia permanently, and has since become an Australian citizen.[4] He has completed a Diploma in Sport and Recreation Management.[3] As of 2021, he lives in Melbourne and works as a project coordinator.[3]

Athletics

Burian with silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics

As a teen in the Czech Republic, Burian watched Olympic javelin champion and world record holder Jan Železný throwing at his local club.[3] By the age of 18, he was a member of the (able-bodied) Czech junior national team.[3] He was then told he should not continue in sport due to his impairment.[3]

Following his arrival in Australia, Burian joined Sandringham Athletics Club. He was classified as an F44 para-athlete in 2020. As of 1 July 2021, Burian holds the Australian record for Men’s javelin F44, with a distance of 61.24m.[5]

At the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, he won the silver medal in the Men's Javelin F64 with a personal best throw of 66.29m and holds the new world record in the F44 category.[6]

Burian won the silver medal at the Men's Javelin F64 at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris with a throw of 65.21m in sixth round.[7]

He competed at the 2024 Summer Paralympics, Paris,France - his second Games where he won the bronze medal in Men's Javelin F64.[8]

In 2024, he was awarded a Victorian Institute of Sport Coach Award.

References

  1. ^ "Michal Burian". Victoria Institute of Sport. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Para-athletics Team Set To 'Do What Australia Does Best' At Tokyo 2020". Paralympics Australia. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Michal Burian's Road to Green and Gold". Athletics Australia. 25 June 2021.
  4. ^ "9 athletes book their ticket to Tokyo". Runner’s Tribe. 19 April 2021.
  5. ^ "AA National Records Database for Para-Athletics" (PDF). 1 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Michael Burian". Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Czech, Mate! | Brilliant Burian lands sixth-round silver". Athletics Australia. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Experience And Youth Combine For Paris Games | Paralympics Australia". www.paralympic.org.au. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.