Blake Cochrane, Bridie Kean and Brenden Hall
Blake Cochrane, Bridie Kean and Brenden Hall
10 September 2012

Three University of Queensland students will return home from the 2012 London Paralympic Games as gold and silver medallists.
Brenden Hall, Blake Cochrane and Bridie Kean together have earned four gold medals, one silver and one bronze.

Mr Hall, who is studying exercise and sport science at UQ, broke a world record and claimed his first individual gold in the Men’s 400m Freestyle S9 event.

This was followed by a Paralympics record and gold medal in the Men's 4x100m Freestyle Relay (34 points)– sharing the win with fellow UQ Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science student Blake Cochrane. The Australian team won in 3:50.17, beating China and Russia.

Mr Hall also won bronze in the Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay (34 points).

Mr Cochrane took out gold in the 100m breaststroke SB7, winning in a world record time of 1:18.77.

Master of Public Health student Bridie Kean won silver in the women’s wheelchair basketball, after the Australian team battled it out against Germany in the final.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Debbie Terry congratulated the students on their outstanding achievements at the Games.

“The University is extremely proud of Brendan, Blake and Bridie’s successes and of all the UQ students, alumni and staff who contributed to the Paralympic Games,” she said.

“The students are an inspiration to all of us.

“They are at the pinnacle of outstanding people who apply focus, determination and long hours of practice to maximise their innate abilities and achieve global leadership.”

Overall, Australia finished fifth on the medal tally with 32 gold, 23 silver and 30 bronze medals.

For the Paralympics results, please visit http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/schedule-and-results/
Media: Caroline Bird, UQ Communications, 07 3365 1931 or c.bird1@uq.edu.au