By PETER DOUGLAS
MACCLESFIELD paracanoeist Amanda ‘AJ’ Reynolds is head down into an intense training schedule after recently being named for the 2016 Australian Paralympic Team.
In what will be the first Paralympic Games for Reynolds, 44, she will join five other Australians in the national team as the sport makes its Paralympic debut in Rio this September.
With Australia presently enjoying the number one ranking in the sport, their status comes with high expectations.
But Reynolds, affectionately known as ‘AJ’, said plenty of hometown support and a packed training program have given her plenty of encouragement.
“I’m in the Gold Coast training and we’re (the team) pushing each other at the moment,” she said.
“We’re always working on our technique and trying to better our times.”
Reynolds said an air of anticipation was starting to creep in to the team camp.
“We completed a uniform fitting the other day and, the Australian uniform, it sent shivers down my spine,” she said.
“It’s starting to get scary, but very exciting.”
The team will soon head to a training camp in Italy where they will acclimatise to conditions and fine tune for Rio.
Reynolds is hungry to win Paralympic gold after missing out on a second world title at the 2016 Para-canoe Sprint World Championships in Germany.
But she achieved one major goal in representing her country at Rio.
“To finally hear that ‘yes, you’re going’ is awesome’,” she said.
“I’m excited to be heading to my first Games as part of such an amazing and dedicated team.
“My goal has always been to perform at my best, give it everything I’ve got, and make sure my country is proud of what we do.”
She said that her selection delighted her husband, Wayne, her sons, Broc and Ty, and her band of supporters in the hills.
Reynolds elected to have her right leg amputated at the knee following nearly 20 years of complications from a dislocated knee.
She discovered her love of paracanoeing when competing in the Murray Marathon Challenge, before enjoying a rapid rise in the sport and taking out numerous competitions.
But the green and gold uniform has always been on her mind.
“Making it to Rio was a goal that was set three years ago for me to work towards, to reach that goal is a big box ticked,” she said.
“I’m ecstatic to know I’ll be heading to Rio wearing the green and gold.
“It is an amazing achievement for paracanoe to become a sport in the Paralympics and to be among the first to represent Australia in the sport is wonderful.
“It will be a great opportunity to show Australia and the world what we can accomplish.”
As with most elite-level sports, having the right equipment is not only crucial but expensive.
To support ‘AJ’ in her quest for gold, visit www.aj-reynolds.com.au or www.asf.org.au.
