Australia’s Para-cyclists have set about backing up their success on the velodrome, starting their road racing campaign with one gold, two silver and three bronze at Fuji Speedway.
Darren Hicks, 36, won gold in the individual time trial C2. Track pursuit gold medallist Emily Petricola collected silver in the C4 time trial ahead of third-placed teammate Meg Lemon and, in the 32km C5 time trial, Alistair Donohoe took on a strong field to win bronze.
In Para-athletics, James Turner produced a courageous run to snare gold in the 400m T36, Jaryd Clifford won bronze in the 1500m T13 and Madison de Rozario took bronze in the 1500m T54. The haul takes Australia’s tally at the track to 12, including two gold, five silver and five bronze.
Wheelchair tennis star Dylan Alcott prevailed in one of the greatest matches in the sport’s history to earn the right to defend his Paralympics quad singles gold medal with a thrilling three-set win over Dutch teen talent Niels Vink.
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Dan Michel and ramp assistant Ash McClure lost their BC3 boccia individuals semi final match against Czech Adam Peska, but still have a chance to win Australia’s first medal in the sport since 1996 when they play for bronze on Wednesday.
Australia’s remarkable Para-table tennis run continued, with Ma Lin, Joel Coughlan and Nathan Pellissier advancing to the semi-finals of the Team event class 9-10. On Wednesday the Aussies will face Nigeria. Australia is guaranteed at least a bronze, which will break the record for most medals won by an Australian Para-table tennis team at any one Paralympic Games.
At the pool, dual Paralympian Grant ‘Scooter Patterson captured his second medal of the Games, winning silver in the Men’s 50m Breaststroke (SB2), an emotional Col Pearse claimed bronze in the Men’s 100m Butterfly (S10) and Jasmine Greenwood snared silver in the Women’s 100m Butterfly (S10).
In the women’s wheelchair basketball, Australia’s Gliders finally tasted Tokyo success, defeating Algeria 71-32 to finish their Paralympic tournament in ninth place.
Two-time Paralympic Para-shooter Chris Pitt captured a score of 542 to place 25th in the P1 Men’s 10m Air Pistol, Class SH1.