BRISBANE: Keep an eye on Ben Hance; he has a flair for dramatic entrances, and there’s another one in the works.
The Paralympic champion secured his second title at the current Australian swimming championships on Wednesday night, powering through to victory in the 50m multi-class backstroke with a time of 26.44 seconds.
At the Paris Paralympics last year, as he prepared for a butterfly final, he enthusiastically jumped around, gesturing to the crowd as if to declare, “I’m the one to beat,” before tossing his jacket onto the block.
“He is primed and ready to go!” exclaimed Australian swimming legend Cate Campbell during the Nine broadcast.
A new show-stopping entrance is being planned for the Singapore world para-swimming championships.
“Absolutely, I always have something up my sleeve,” he said with a grin when asked about upcoming theatrics.
“I can’t reveal too much; you’ll just have to tune in and see what I’ve got prepared.”
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Ben Hance at the Australian swimming championships on Wednesday night. Delly Carr/Swimming Australia
Hance is gearing up for the 100m backstroke S14 at the world titles, scheduled for September 21-27.
“I believe that swim is going to be something special,” he stated.
“The entrance will be pretty good as well, I reckon.”
The Sunshine Coast athlete made history in Paris by becoming the first man to clinch back-to-back Paralympic gold medals in the 100m backstroke S14, an event dedicated to athletes with intellectual disabilities.
He is now aiming for victory in the event at LA 2028 and again at Brisbane 2032.
No Australian has yet won four consecutive Paralympic gold medals in the same event.
Matt Cowdrey achieved three in a row, claiming gold in both the 100m freestyle S9 and the 200m individual medley SM9 at the Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, and London 2012 Games.
Hance has big dreams and is confident he can achieve them.
“I’ve put aside the 100m butterfly and 100m freestyle [since Paris 2024]. From now on, it’s all about backstroke until Brisbane [2032],” the 24-year-old declared.
“No Australian swimmer has ever completed the four-peat — four gold medals in a row. Someone has to achieve it, and I intend to be that person.”
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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