Paula Wallow

Paula’s promise was made in the hazy depths of an afters in Bondi, deep in the pocket, where most people’s words evaporate with the sunrise. Tokyo 2025 was sealed with a handshake. A year later, the Japanese pavement got punished by 42 kilometres of pure follow-through. From early morning handshake to world major finisher in one revolution around the sun. She closed the loop with perfect symmetry: celebrating post-race with the exact same cigarette and mezcal that witnessed her original pledge. Some people talk. Paula delivers, then lights up.