Hamilton Southeastern graduate Noah Malone won his second silver medal of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games on Thursday in the men’s T12 400-meter run.
Malone finished in 47.93 seconds, breaking Josiah Jamison’s U.S. record of 51.40 seconds set back in 2008. Abdeslam Hili (Morocco) took first place in 47.59 seconds, a new world record, and Rouay Jebabli (Tunisia) placed third in 48.01 seconds.
“It’s a huge honor. I really cannot ask for more,” Malone said. “I just realized it’s taken two world records to beat me each time. It’s cool to think about it like that; as my competitors, they had to bring their best.”
Jebabli told reporters that he had actually planned for Malone’s speed on the track. “We tried to prepare a strategy for this race, especially because the American guy [Malone] is very fast, so I tried to start strongly and keep a steady pace until I managed to win the medal,” Jebabli said.
Malone finished his first Paralympic Games with two silver medals. He placed second in Sunday’s T12 100-meter dash as well.
“It’s a great atmosphere and it’s bringing the best out of everyone, me included,” he said.
Now, the 19-year-old is preparing to return to school at Indiana State and will keep training for more races ahead. “I’m ready for the worlds next year and the ones after that, then it’s Paris [2024 Paralympic Games],” Malone said. “As of now I’m going back to school and try and learn there. But this has been a nice ride, a nice ride.”
In 2015, Malone was diagnosed with leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy, which eliminated half of his vision. He had to leave his high school basketball team but remained on the track team and began training for the Paralympic games after officials contacted him in 2017.