She didn’t even need the scheduled 12 laps on the super-fast Siberian pine for her 12th Paralympic Games gold medal, as she moved clear of Dame Tanni Grey Thompson to become the most successful British woman Paralympian ever in her own right.
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The victory meant that Storey moved ahead of previous GB Paralympic medal record holder Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.
She overtook her team-mate before the halfway point in the final to make history.
The first gold of the Rio Paralympics went to Kenya’s Samwel Mushai Kimani in the men’s T11 5,000m as Brazil’s Odair Santos took silver.
USA’s Jessica Long, who was won 12 Paralympic golds, was the fastest qualifier in 4:48.26.
She claimed the gold in the C5 individual pursuit last night, as Team GB looked likely to claim up to eight gold medals in a barnstorming first day of the Rio 2016 Paralympics.
“I wanted to have ideal preparation here in Rio, and Louisa has not spent a night away from me in her entire life”. Then I had a baby and everyone definitely thought I would be retiring. “I have another three events to go so I will enjoy the races with my legs pedalling as fast as I can”.
“It’s great to be here, I was the first Brit on the track as well so I was a bit unsure what to expect coming through but I know for my semi-final”.
Ollie Hynd added gold in the S8 400m freestyle in the swimming pool, before Bethany Firth won the S14 100m backstroke. “It’s unbelievable and I don’t think it will sink in for a very long time”.
Britain’s Stephanie Millward qualified for the women’s S8 400m freestyle final (at 21:54) in 4:59.95. The first person I was speaking to after the race was Tanni and it’s so nice to see her here. “I wouldn’t be here without my teammates, and my back-up team behind me”, the 31-year-old athlete, who had a brain haemorrhage and stroke four years ago, told Channel 4.
“I never expected to go that quick this morning as I was still smashing out some big road rides at the weekend”. To have her here – and crying her eyes out, she said – was just a really special moment.
Jonnie Peacock made a statement as he launched his defence of the T44 100m title he won at London 2012.
Despite the Netherlands team starting quicker, Bate and Duggleby paced themselves perfectly to better their rivals.
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The 23-year-old from Cambridge clocked a Paralympic record of 10.81 in the amputee sprint discipline, arguably the blue riband event of the Paralympics.
