Scots to follow on Day Nine of the Paralympics: Graham guns for gold and Clegg kicks off title defence

By Will Jennings

Strathpeffer cyclist Fin Graham goes for gold on the road as he and speed queen Libby Clegg headline the Scots in action on Thursday at the Paralympic Games.

Graham, 21, won silver in the C3 3000m individual pursuit last week and now bids to climb one step higher on the podium in the early hours of Thursday morning.

With fellow Scots Clegg – defending T11 100m and 200m champion – and boccia brothers Jamie and Scott McCowan also in action, here’s what to watch on Day Nine of the Games.

Fin Graham – Men’s C1-3 Road Race – 1:48am

Graham was left crestfallen last week as his scorching world record time on the track was promptly usurped by ParalympicsGB teammate Jaco van Gass.

The Scot stopped the clock in a stunning 3:19.780 – shaving almost seven seconds off Alexey Obydennov’s long-standing record – before Van Gass sped to a remarkable gold over two seconds faster.

Graham finished fourth on the road in the men’s C3 time trial on Tuesday so will be desperate to clamber to the summit of the podium at the Fuji International Speedway.

Libby Clegg – Women’s 200m T11 Round One – 2:26am

Sprint star Clegg kicks off the defence of her T11 200m title shortly after Graham goes in the road race.

Clegg, 31, is registered blind and will run with the aid of guide Chris Clarke as she shoots for her fifth Paralympic medal in Japan.

She scooped T12 100m silver in Beijing and London and with a searing 200m personal best of 24.44, represents one of Scotland’s main medal hopes on the track.

Jamie and Scott McCowan – BC3 pairs boccia Pool A – 3:25am/8:20am

Scotland’s bulging boccia presence at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre is spearheaded by the McCowan brothers.

Scott, 30, beat Jamie, 26, in an unexpected BC3 individual battle last week before going on to narrowly miss out on bronze against Australian Daniel Michel.

The duo now join forces for the pairs competition alongside Paralympic debutant Beth Moulam, taking on both the Republic of Korea and then Greece in Pool A at 3:25am and 8:20am.

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