Leary's 59.53 seconds in the 100m freestyle final broke her own mark in the heats of the S9 category, which includes swimmers with severe weakness in one leg.
The bubbly 23-year-old from the Sunshine Coast was in a coma in hospital in 2021 after suffering permanent brain and leg injuries in a high-speed bike crash that left her with a punctured lung and multiple broken bones.
Her parents, warned several times by doctors that their daughter might not survive, turned to a clairvoyant.
"When I was in ICU (intensive care unit), my dad got a fortune teller and the fortune teller read that I wanted to go to the Paralympics. And I'm here," she said. "Oh my God. I did it."
Leary's positive attitude and triumph over adversity has inspired Australia, giving her a profile to rival the country's able-bodied Olympic champion swimmers, Ariarne Titmus and Kaylee McKeown.
Esta historia es de la edición September 06, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 06, 2024 de The Straits Times.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
S'pore key for StanChart as trade, investments in Asean grow: CEO
Region starting to rival Greater China, S. Asia and Mid-East in contributing to bank's business
Should you time your resignation to avoid losing out on bonus?
In this series, manpower reporter Tay Hong Yi offers practical answers to candid questions on navigating workplace challenges and getting ahead in your career. Get more tips by signing up to The Straits Times' HeadStart newsletter.
Entrepreneur fails to stop bankruptcy action over $34 million business debt
Court rejects her plan to repay banks via sale of properties, revenue from leasing
Markets cheer prospect of Fed rate cuts
Expect more gains this week, although there are some minefields further ahead
US companies avoiding layoffs, but hiring has slowed
As job growth has slowed and unemployment has crept up, some economists have pointed to a sign of confidence among employers: They are, for the most part, holding on to their existing workers.
Sustainable finance, GenAl among skills identified for those in banking
IBF and SkillsFuture working to build capabilities, particularly among SMEs
Saving S-E Asia's trees requires action on climate, land use: Study
Region's forests facing 'double whammy' of threats from climate change, deforestation
Only female in milling event out to break barrier
When Ms Shanice Wong, 20, realised she was the only female in a male-dominated event, she knew she had to rely on \"girl power\" to secure a win.
Poly student leans on hotel industry training
A nosy handyman tests your professionalism. Attendees of a wedding party create a ruckus in the hotel lobby. A distraught guest crumbles in panic after losing her passport.
Parlaying their skills at ‘Olympics'
Duo fly the flag for S'pore with expertise in trains
