Quietly rising to Paralympic challenge

Brenden Hall as been quietly putting in the hard yards for his fifth and final Paralympic Games - just having fun, loving swimming and revelling in the challenge.

Even on cold mornings tucked away in a 25m pool at USC Sunshine Coast with just four other swimmers, two coaches and a lifeguard.

It’s a huge contrast to the bright lights, TV cameras, massive crowds and global spotlight waiting at the Centre Aquatique Olympique in Saint-Denis.

The 31-year-old will also be one of two flag bearers leading the Australian team at the Opening Ceremony.

"I think it'll probably hit me when I'm over there and that moment arrives," he said, "but it's business as usual until then. 

This is the way I like it. Where it’s nice and quiet, no real distractions …. just getting in and have a lot of fun."

The 31-year-old, who grew up in Petrie, went to Pine Rivers State High School and swam at Redcliffe, Lawnton and Burpengary, said its part of the learning curve.

“I had high expectations (before Tokyo) in 2020-21," he said, "but I've learned a lot in three years. I don’t go into meets with that approach anymore.”

Victory on the opening night of last month’s Australian Olympic trials was a perfect illustration.

“I didn’t feel pressure didn’t have anything to prove,” Hall said of the 400m freestyle, “I just wanted to get in and let everyone know I’m still here.

“The love of it has come back, more than I had going into Tokyo. It’s fun, it’s exciting, I still get goosebumps thinking about it.

“I just love getting in the pool every day, working hard. I love the challenge it brings. I get the chance to be an inspiration for my little one (two-year-old son Bodhi).

“I’m doing it for myself because I love it. I love the sport, but I’ve got a son now who looks up to me. It puts a lot of different feelings out there.”

Hall has a busy multi-class schedule with his pet event the 400m freestyle, 100m backstroke and 100m butterfly.

It will be the culmination of a “six-to-eight-month training cycle” with Bribie-based Harley Connolly, his coach at Lawnton, Burpengary and now head of the Paralympic Hub at Sippy Downs.

Connolly said Hall's plans came together "really well" at trials and he was "looking forward" to helping Brenden "try to win a gold medal in Paris".

"I think there’s an expectation from the greater community to get up on the dias with a medal around the neck," Connolly said.

"But swimmers like Brenden just expect the best from themselves in and out of the pool. 

"They will do everything possible to get themselves there and I will do everything possible for them to perform the best they can."

The Australian team is now at a final two-week training camp in Chartres, before the Paralympics from August 28-September 11.

“When we get to France, we’ll put a few finishing touches on it (preparations) before going into the Games environment,” Hall said.

“I don’t care what the others (in his events) are doing. It’s the same guys as far as I’m aware, as the last six years, plus a couple of new ones.

“I enjoy the challenge of getting to that level of the last 12 years and wish I could say it’s getting easier! But it’s a lot harder than I remember when I started.

“I don’t feel as bulletproof as when I started. I get more aches and pains, recovery is more important for me, as well as stretching, nutrition … and being a dad.”

Hall has little to prove from an international career which started in 2007 - eight years after losing his right leg and 70 per cent of his hearing to complications from chicken pox.

Just six at the time, Hall was also at death’s door for 29 minutes during treatment for a blood clot.

But he recovered to win 12 gold medals at the Paralympics (3), World Championships (8) and Commonwealth Games (1), as well as two silvers, eight bronze and break world records.

Paris may be Hall’s final Paralympic Games as a competitor, but he wants to give back to the sport and Australia’s next generation.

“There might be a door or a window (opening) for another sport,” said Hall, who is completing a physiotherapy degree.

“But my goal after this is to come back on as a therapist and support staff, helping future athletes achieve their goals.”