It was a cloudy and blustery day nine of the Rio 2016 Paralympics, where 59 gold medals were won in events including women’s wheelchair basketball, men’s wheelchair tennis singles and athletics.
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The first gold medal was won by Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi in the 100m T36 (celebral palsy) event, while Muhammad Ziyad won the gold with a new world record in the men’s shot put F20 (learning disability) final. “In 2012 I was fortunate enough to get silver and bronze but I’ve finally done it and got gold and all the hard work has paid off”, he said.
Three dressage golds were delivered by Sophie Christiansen, Natasha Baker and Lee Pearson on the ninth day of the competition on Friday.
Gordon Reid added Paralympic gold to the silver medal he won Thursday with doubles partner Alfie Hewett.
Both riders are part of the British mixed team, alongside Anne Dunham and Sophie Wells, who will have their gold confirmed on Friday. Australia took home 32 gold, 23 silver and 30 bronze medals.
‘The bronze medals have 16 steel balls and make the lowest sound. “I’ve had a change of coach and just injury after injury and up until last week, I didn’t even know which horse I would be bringing”.
Cox has made history this Games by becoming the first Briton for 28 years to win Paralympic gold in two different sports, cycling and athletics, but has never ridden a road race before, recognising Storey is the one to beat.
“I’m absolutely chuffed, flying high, ” said Dunham, who is based at Worton in Wiltshire and trains at Pammy Hutton’s Talland School of Equitation near Cirencester.
Dan Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch claimed victory in the SKUD 18 class, with two races up their sleeve, to become the first team to win back-to-back Paralympic titles.
Blake showed his own dedication to the film franchise with an excited Twitter post proudly displaying an autograph from the original movie’s leading actor Mark Hamill at the London Star Wars celebration in August.
“We came to these Games with a team of 264 of the best prepared athletes that Great Britain has ever produced, ready to take on the best in the world on the greatest stage we have”.
Cole said the fire in her belly had been reignited, and she’s already looking to Tokyo 2020.
The 25-year-old from Cork, who claimed bronze four years ago, said: “I’m delighted”.
It hasn’t always been straightforward for Cockroft though, as she suffered a mishap with her racing chair ahead of an event.
“I knew that I was world record holder going into that race and I was still questioning if I was worthy to be there, heading in”.
The 42-year-old from Welwyn Garden City was inspired to get into archery by watching American Matt Stutzman competing at London 2012.
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“I didn’t believe I could do this as I really don’t like the 800m!”
