Leah's Story
Fast Facts
Sport: Softball
Olympic History: Tokyo 2020
Year Born: 1980
State Born: WA
About Leah
For Leah Parry, Tokyo 2020 shapes as an opportunity for redemption.
The Western Australian was left disappointed after being one of the final players cut for the Spirit’s Beijing 2008 squad, the last Olympic Games that softball were included in. With softball being reintroduced for Tokyo 2020, Parry lept into reconsideration for the Olympic squad, with the second baser returning to the national program for the 2019 Asia Pacific Cup.
Parry first represented her country in 2003, and strong performances in the Perth Softball League and for Western Australia propelled her into continual consideration for the Australian senior side, including selection to the 2010 World Championships.
In the same year, Parry helped Western Australia claim its first Gilley’s Shield win since 1959, and was also a prominent feature of her state’s victorious sides in 2011 and 2013.
Having had a two-year retirement between Beijing 2008 and Tokyo 2020, Parry’s return to the Spirits side looms as a strong chance to chase an elusive Olympic medal that has been a long time coming for the 41-year-old.
Parry made her Olympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 games, competing alongside the women's softball team. Australia would face a first-round matchup against Japan, now not only the past Olympic champions but also the hosts of the event. In their opening fixture, the Aussies would fall to Japan (8)-(1) a rough loss to the hosts, who would go on to win consecutive Gold medals.
Leah would help Australia bounce back in their second fixture of the games, where they would hold a (1)-(0) lead against Italy until the end of the tie. They would not, however, continue this run of form, later falling to eventual bronze medalists in Canada.
This would set up a must-win match against the United States, one of the strongest teams competing in the discipline. Australia would fall agonisingly close to a result against the US, in a fixture that would remain scoreless for 7 innings and required to go into extras. The United States would ultimately edge out the match, winning (2) - (1).
In their final game, Australia would play Mexico for a place in the bronze medal match. The team would, unfortunately, fail to qualify for their third medal consecutive medal matchup, losing the match (4) - (1).
Read More
