'Life isn't fair': Aussie wins medal days after 'heartbreaking' family tragedy

Aussie swimmer Timothy Disken has won a silver medal at the Paralympics only days after finding out his mother had died while he was in Tokyo.

A heartbroken Disken took to social media three days ago as he was preparing for his breaststroke leg of the 4x100m medley.

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The 24-year-old detailed his shock and pain after finding out his mother, Jenny, had died, while he was in Tokyo.

"Never imagined I’d have to write this. Didn’t think 2021 could get any worse," he wrote on Instagram.

"I sit here lost, confused, distraught, in shock and just empty. Sometimes, life just isn’t fair.

"Truly lost, scared, and frightened without you. I’m forever grateful to have someone as special as you, as my mother.

"To my family back home, I’m so sorry I can’t be there to grieve with you and comfort you, you are all in my thoughts.

"Mum, I hope to go out there on Friday and make you proud, whatever the result."

But, the brave Aussie would have made his mother proud after swimming a sensational breaststroke leg to help his team win silver a medal in the 34 point category.

Tim Hodge, Will Martin and Will Popham rallied around the 24-year-old as the four celebrated a remarkable swim of 4:07.07, only slightly behind RPC's time of 4:06.59.

Timothy Disken thanks team after family tragedy

Following the race, Disken took time to thank his team after the support over the last few days.

“I just tried to replicate what I did earlier in the week,” he told Channel 7.

“I had a really rough 72 hours. I lost my Mum Tuesday night and I trying to get myself up to be able to race tonight was hard in itself.

“The support from the team has been phenomenal, even the Italians reached out to me last night and that was amazing.

“I couldn’t be in a better spot for the heartbreak I’ve had in the past 72 hours.

“To pull that out and get a silver medal with three of my best mates is bloody amazing.”

The Paralympic Committee said they would offer support for Disken during this extremely difficult time.

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