Tokyo 2020 Paralympics LIVE: Neil and Lora Fachie claim gold in world-record fashion

Neil and Lora Fachie led a stunning morning for Great Britain on day four of the Tokyo Paralympics as the husband and wife cyclists each claimed Paralympic gold in world-record fashion.

Scottish rider Neil and pilot Matt Rotherham finished just ahead of compatriot James Ball in the men’s B 1000m time trial, taking top spot with a time of 58.038 seconds.

Liverpool-born Lora then followed in her husband’s footsteps as she and partner Corrine Hall defeated Ireland’s Katie-George Dunlevy in the final of the women’s B 3000m individual pursuit in a time of 3:19.560.

That was not the end for Great Britain’s gold rush at the Izu Velodrome as Kadeena Cox Jaco Van Gass and Jody Cundy eclipsed China to win the mixed C1-5 team sprint.

They crossed the line in 47.579 secs, just over a tenth of a second ahead of the Chinese team, with Spain taking bronze.

In addition to the trio of GB golds and silver for Ball, there was also a bronze for Sophie Unwin, who clinched third place behind Lora Fachie and Dunlevy in a time of 3:23.446.

Elsewhere, table tennis player Paul Karabardak and powerlifter Micky Yule each won bronze.

Relive all the latest from Tokyo:

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Paralympics medal table: Who’s winning Tokyo 2020 so far?

Paralympics 2021: Latest Day Four updates

• Reece Dunn breaks own world record for backstroke gold

• Hannah Russell also wins backstroke gold to retain title

• Kadeena Cox wins time-trial gold in world record

• Great Britain’s Maria Lyle wins bronze in 100m

• Lee Pearson wins 12th Paralympic gold in dressage

Paralympics 2021: Who is Team USA wheelchair rugby star who carried flag?

Tuesday 24 August 2021 23:57 , Graeme Massie

His Japanese great-grandparents and grandparents were imprisoned in an American World War II internment camp and now he has carried the flag for Team USA at the Paralympic Games opening ceremony in Tokyo.

Chuck Aoki, who captains the wheelchair rugby team, was born in Minneapolis with hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathy, a rare genetic disorder that means he has no feeling in his hands or feet.

Who is Team USA wheelchair rugby star who carried flag at Paralympics?

Tokyo is first city to host Paralympics on two occassions

Wednesday 25 August 2021 00:26 , Graeme Massie

Japanese capital hosted the games in 1964, when 378 athletes from 21 countries competed in nine sports.

In 2021, more than 4000 athletes from 162 countries will compete in 22 sports.

Paralympics 2021: Who is the Purple Heart veteran who carried the US flag?

Wednesday 25 August 2021 00:56 , Graeme Massie

She is a former US Army lieutenant who became the first female soldier to lose a limb in the Iraq War and was a flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games.

Melissa Stockwell, 41, received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for her military service, and now has her sights set on giving her all in Tokyo.

More below.

Who is Purple Heart veteran who carried the US flag at Paralympics?

Wheelchair rugby kicks off on day one of competition

Wednesday 25 August 2021 01:30 , Graeme Massie

The sport was popularised by the 2005 documentary Murderball, and sees four preliminary matches.

Team USA, captained by Chuck Aoki, is looking to win its first Paralympic gold since 2008, and takes on New Zealand in its opening match.

Australia, the two-time defending champions start their campaign against Denmark, while Great Britain plays Canada, and reigning world champions Japan take on France.

Swimming heats get underway in Tokyo

Wednesday 25 August 2021 01:59 , Graeme Massie

Natalie Sims of Team United States looks on following her Women's 400m Freestyle - S9 heat on day 1 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at on August 25, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.

Paralympics 2021: Who is the Team USA star born in Ukraine after Chernobyl disaster?

Wednesday 25 August 2021 02:01 , Graeme Massie

She is the Team USA star who was given up for adoption after her birth in the Ukraine three years after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and now is aiming for a medal in Tokyo.

Oksana Masters was born with defects linked to the radiation poisoning caused by the 1986 accident, with her legs missing weight-bearing bones.

More below.

Who is the US Paralympian born in Ukraine after Chernobyl disaster?

Joe Biden wishes Team USA good luck

Wednesday 25 August 2021 02:35 , Graeme Massie

The president posted his message to the American athletes on Instagram as the first day of competition got underway.

“Good luck to all the US Paralympic athletes competing in Tokyo. Your resilience, talent, and determination serve as an inspiration to us all,” he said.

Paralympics: Who is the world’s fastest blind athlete?

Wednesday 25 August 2021 03:03 , Graeme Massie

David Brown began running at the age of five, but lost his sight to Kawasaki disease by the age of 13. He is the fastest blind athlete in history and holds world records at 100m and 200m.

The 28-year-old grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, before moving to St Louis to attend the Missouri School of the Blind, and it was there that he discovered his sprinting ability and he has not slowed down since.

Who is the world’s fastest blind athlete set to star at Paralympics?

Paralympics 2021: Who is the former US navy bomb disposal expert competing in paratriathlon?

Wednesday 25 August 2021 03:30 , Graeme Massie

He is a retired US navy bomb disposal expert who was totally blinded after stepping on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.

But within a year Brad Snyder had become a Paralympic athlete and won three medals in the pool at London 2012.

Who is former US navy bomb disposal expert competing in paratriathlon?

What is boccia at the Tokyo Paralympics? The rules explained

Wednesday 25 August 2021 03:58 , Graeme Massie

One of the most distinctive and tense sports set to take place at the Paralympic Games in Japan is boccia, an event, like goalball, with no Olympic equivalent.

A tactical target sport akin to bowls or petanque, the game traces its roots all the way back to Ancient Greece and Egypt and is thought to be one of the oldest ever played by humans.

Joe Sommerlad has the story.

What is boccia at the Tokyo Paralympics? The rules explained

Paralympics 2021: World record for Sarah Storey and assured gold for team GB

Wednesday 25 August 2021 04:27 , Shweta Sharma

Sarah Storey smashed her own world record in qualifying for the 3000m individual pursuit by finishing the crossing line in 3.27.057.

Storey, who has 14 Paralympic gold medals, beat her own record by four seconds.

She will face compatriot Crystal Lane-Wright in the gold medal race later on Wednesday. Either way, it’s gold for Team GB.

Paralympics 2021: Team GB staff member tests positive for Covid-19

Wednesday 25 August 2021 04:51 , Shweta Sharma

A staff member with Great Britain’s wheelchair tennis group is self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus on the first day of Paralympics games.

Contact tracing is being conducted to identify people who came in close contacts.

“The health and welfare of the delegation is of utmost importance and the BPA (British Paralympic Association) are in constant contact with all those involved, led by our chief medical officer Dr Stuart Miller and mental health lead Dr Amanda Gatherer,” read a Paralympics GB statement.

Chef de mission Penny Briscoe added: “The health and welfare of all Paralympics GB athletes and staff remains our number one priority and we are working hard to ensure all those involved receive the support they need.”

Paralympics wheelchair basketball schedule: Matches and start times at Tokyo 2020

Wednesday 25 August 2021 04:55 , Graeme Massie

Below is a complete list of all the Tokyo Paralympics wheelchair basketball matches, all of which take place at either the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza or the Ariake Arena.

There are 12 men’s nations (Japan, United States, Canada, Colombia, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Turkey, Australia, Iran, South Korea, Algeria) and 10 women’s nations (Japan, United States, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Netherlands, Australia, China, Algeria).

When are the wheelchair basketball matches taking place at the Tokyo Paralympics?

Paralympics 2021: Netherland pair break world record in Para Cycling to qualify for final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 05:21 , Shweta Sharma

Netherlands’ Tristan Bangma and pilot Patrick Bos just broke the men’s B 4000m individual pursuit world record by finishing in 3:59:47.

The duo will face GB’s Stephen Bate for gold now.

Team GB’s Stephen Bate and pilot Adam Duggleby qualify second-fastest - beating the previous world record with a time of 4:02.497

Paralympics 2021: USA beat New Zealand to claim title in Wheelchair rugby

Wednesday 25 August 2021 05:31 , Shweta Sharma

USA won 63-35 over New Zealand at the Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo. Team USA led by Charles Aoki and Joe Delagrave remained in lead throughout the match and won by good margin against Wheel Blacks.

Paralympics cycling track schedule: Events and start times at Tokyo 2020

Wednesday 25 August 2021 05:47 , Shweta Sharma

Track cycling is about to get under way at the Izu Velodrome, Shizuoka.

Read full schedule here for the events on track:

Paralympics cycling track schedule: Events and start times at Tokyo 2020

Paralympics 2021: Germany’s Denise Schindler grabs first medal of the Games

Wednesday 25 August 2021 06:01 , Shweta Sharma

Denise Schindler grabbed a bronze medal in women’s C1-3 3000m individual pursuit at the Izu Velodrome.

She bettered her heat time clocking 3:55.120. The gold medal race is coming up

Paralympics 2021: Paige Greco takes first gold in track cycling with world record

Wednesday 25 August 2021 06:09 , Shweta Sharma

Australia has finished in an impressive 3:50.815 to win first gold medal of the Games. Wang Xiaomei will take home silver, finishing second women’s C1-3 3000m individual pursuit

Paralympics 2021: USA take silver, Canada on podium with bronze in C4 3000m individual

Wednesday 25 August 2021 06:18 , Shweta Sharma

Keely Shaw won bronze by powering ahead of Australia’s Meg Lemon in women’s C4 3000m individual pursuit.USA’s Shawn Morelli has won silver.

Paralympics 2021: Australia win another gold with world record

Wednesday 25 August 2021 06:23 , Shweta Sharma

Emily Petricola has won second gold for Australia on day one of Games. She won against the US’s Shawn Morelli. The 41-year-old is a two-time world gold medallist in the women’s C4 pursuit.

Dame Sarah Storey: Who is Britain’s greatest Paralympian finishing in world record time?

Wednesday 25 August 2021 06:31 , Shweta Sharma

British cyclist Dame Sarah Storey, 43, already has an astonishing 14 gold medals to her name but will be hoping to add to her haul at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo this month.

Read more about her here:

Who is British cyclist Dame Sarah Storey?

Paralympics 2021: Sarah Storey wins first gold for ParalympicsGB in women's C5 3000m individual pursuit

Wednesday 25 August 2021 07:00 , Jack Rathborn

Dame Sarah Storey, who is on a quest to become Great Britain’s most successful Paralympian, has won gold against compatriot Crystal Lane-Wright.

This is 43-years-old’s 15th Paralympic gold so far two different sports and eight Games. It is her fourth consecutive gold in women’s C5 3000m individual.

Sarah Storey storms to Great Britain’s first gold of the Tokyo Paralympics

Wednesday 25 August 2021 07:14 , Shweta Sharma

Dame Sarah Storey began her quest to become Great Britain’s most successful Paralympian by smashing her own world record en route to stylishly retaining C5 3000m individual pursuit gold.

Read Ed Elliot’s detailed report:

Sarah Storey storms to Great Britain’s first gold of the Tokyo Paralympics

Paralympics 2021: Dutch stars dethrone Britain’s Bate to grab gold

Wednesday 25 August 2021 07:26 , Jack Rathborn

Tristan Bangma has won first gold for Netherlands in men’s B 4,000m individual pursuit with teammate Patrick Bos.

The Dutch duo dethroned British defending champion Stephen Bate in the tandem race in world record time of 3:59.

Stephen Bate and Adam Duggelby take silver for ParalympicsGB while Pole Marcin Polak claimed bronze by 0.276 seconds from Frenchman Alexandre Lloveras.

GB leading in women’s wheelchair basketball

Wednesday 25 August 2021 07:40 , Jack Rathborn

Great Britain are ahead at the break in the women’s wheelchair basketball.

They lead Canada 29-26 at half-time, with top scorers Maddie Thompson and Laurie Williams inspiring an excellent start for GB.

They got out fast with that three-point lead and have retained that first-quarter advantage through to half-time.

Sarah Storey: ‘It’s quite overwhelming'

Wednesday 25 August 2021 07:44 , Jack Rathborn

“It’s quite overwhelming, being in an empty stadium, when you finish racing, it hits you.

“Racing in a pandemic, it’s hard, when you want to celebrate with people, you realise you don’t have your friends and family.

“The team is amazing, but there’s a bigger team behind the team, they’re missed.

“It’s hard to put into words after a race, I’ve won a medal at every single Games I’ve been to, I broke the record, I never expected to go as fast as I did this morning.”

Bate and Duggleby reacts to silver medal

Wednesday 25 August 2021 08:02 , Jack Rathborn

“We knew that sub-four minutes was what we’re aiming for, we give it everything we’ve got, we left a lot out in the qualifying. We didn’t have the same legs,” said Adam Duggleby after winning silver in men’s B 4000m individual pursuit with Steve Bate. “It’s a quick turnaround, it’s just the result.”

While Bate added: “I’m not going to say it’s great, we couldn’t do any more, we rode a massive PB in the qualifier, when a bike goes that quick, like the Dutch did, you have to be in awe of them, we take that on the chin.”

Paralympics 2021: Strong start for GB swimmers

Wednesday 25 August 2021 08:19 , Jamie Braidwood

It’s been a good morning for ParalympicsGB’s swimmers at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, with seven athletes qualifying for finals later today.

Reece Dunn set a new Paralympic record in the 100m butterfly S14 and will go for gold at 10:05am. The world champion in the event is favourite for gold.

Toni Shaw will aim to win the country’s first medal in the pool in Tokyo, however, when she takes part in the final of the women’s 400m freestyle S9 at 9:10am. Shaw qualified second fastest for the final earlier today.

Jessica-Jane Applegate and Louise Fiddes are up in the women’s 100m butterfly S14 at 10:12am, while Zara Mullooly reached the women’s 50m freestyle S10 final - that’s at 11:12am.

Tully Kearney and Suzanna Hext will aim to put a final flourish on proceedings, when they compete in the women’s 200m freestyle S5 final. Kearney and Hext qualified second and third fastest respectively and go for gold at 12:08pm.

Paralympics 2021: Defending champions Australia shocked in wheelchair rugby opener

Wednesday 25 August 2021 08:40 , Jamie Braidwood

There was an upset in the wheelchair rugby competition this morning as defending champions Australia suffered a shock defeat to Denmark.

The Danes prevailed in a tight match, winning 54-53 to take an early lead in Group A.

Great Britain play their opening match of the tournament against Canada at 9:30am in Group B, with the United States defeating New Zealand in the first match of the group earlier today.

Paralympics 2021: Great Britain defeated in women’s wheelchair basketball opener

Wednesday 25 August 2021 08:49 , Jamie Braidwood

Canada were led by 32 points from Kady Dandeneau as they defeated Great Britain 73-54 in their opening match of the women’s wheelchair basketball tournament.

Great Britain were ahead at half time but their opponents surged to a comfortable victory in Group A. Maddie Thompson led the way with 11 points for Great Britain, who still have matches against Japan, Australia and Germany to play in the group.

They face Japan tomorrow morning.

Tully Kearney: ParalympicsGB swimmer ready to fulfil ‘unreal’ lifelong dream

Wednesday 25 August 2021 08:57 , Jamie Braidwood

ParalympicsGB swimmer Tully Kearney goes for gold in the women’s 200m freestyle S5 final just after midday today, five years on from missing out on Rio 2016.

Kearney, a seven-time world champion across freestyle and butterfly, had her Rio 2016 hopes ruthlessly ripped away as she was forced to withdraw owing to a significant progression of her generalised dystonia.

The 24-year-old is therefore fulfilling her lifelong ambition of competing in the Paralympics for the first time, and she spoke to Will Jennings for the Independent prior to flying out to Tokyo.

You can read about her story, here.

ParalympicsGB swimmer Tully Kearney ready to fulfil ‘unreal’ lifelong dream

Paralympics 2021: Toni Shaw in women’s 400m freestyle S9 final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 09:09 , Jamie Braidwood

ParalympicsGB could win their first medal in the pool when Toni Shaw competes in the women’s 400m freestyle S9 final shortly.

The 18-year-old Scot, who studies English at Aberdeen University alongside her training, qualified second fastest in her heat earlier.

Tokyo is her first experience of the Paralympics, although Shaw competed in the 2018 Commonwealth Games at the age of just 14.

Paralympics 2021: Toni Shaw in women’s 400m freestyle S9 final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 09:16 , Jamie Braidwood

Toni Shaw emerges into the Tokyo Aquatics Centre as she takes up her position in lane 5.

Australia’s Lakeisha Patterson and Ellie Cole are considered the favourites - and have set the early pace in the final.

The race is underway.

Paralympics 2021: Toni Shaw in women’s 400m freestyle S9 final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 09:18 , Jamie Braidwood

Patterson has a considerable lead at the halfway stage, but Shaw is in a good position at the 200-metre mark and is growing into the race.

Hungary’s Zsofia Konkoly, who set the fastest time in qualifying, has come back into the race though.

100m to go!

Paralympics 2021: Toni Shaw in women’s 400m freestyle S9 final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 09:19 , Jamie Braidwood

Patterson continues to lead heading into the final turn, with Konkoly in pursuit. Shaw is hanging on to third place and looks good for a medal here!

Paralympics 2021: Bronze for Toni Shaw in women’s 400m freestyle S9 final!

Wednesday 25 August 2021 09:20 , Jamie Braidwood

Lakeisha Patterson wins gold as she beats Zsofia Konkoly to the wall, but that is a great race from Toni Shaw who was well clear of the rest of the field in the end as she wins Great Britain’s first medal of the pool.

Patterson led from start to finish but was put under pressure by Konkoly over the final 50m.

1) Patterson (AUS) - 4:36.68

2) Konkoly (HUN) - 4:36.76

3) Shaw (GBR) - 4:39.32

Paralympics 2021: Bronze for Toni Shaw in women’s 400m freestyle S9 final!

Wednesday 25 August 2021 09:26 , Jamie Braidwood

“I don’t know what to say, I’m just so happy right now,” beams Toni Shaw after winning bronze, with a personal best time in the women’s 400m freestyle S9 final.

“It’s been a different journey for everyone this year but without my coach [Gregor McMillan], my club in Aberdeen and my family, I wouldn’t be here.

“It’s been a really great year. I was really nervous before tonight but my coach was able to calm me down. I’m back for the relay on Sunday which I’m really excited for.”

Paralympics 2021: Great Britain vs Canada in wheelchair rugby

Wednesday 25 August 2021 09:38 , Jamie Braidwood

ParalympicsGB are underway in their opening match of the wheelchair rugby tournament as they take on Canada in Group B.

The score is tied at 6-6 midway through the first quarter.

Paralympics 2021: Great Britain vs Canada in wheelchair rugby

Wednesday 25 August 2021 09:59 , Jamie Braidwood

It continues to be close between Great Britain and Canada, in what is turning out to be a fascinating individual battle between Jim Roberts and Zak Madell.

With the score at 17-15 early in the second quarter, Madell has already scored 11 of Canada’s tries, while Roberts has similarly led the way for ParalympicsGB - also scoring 11 tries.

Paralympics 2021: Reece Dunn in men’s 100m butterfly S14 final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 10:05 , Jamie Braidwood

We are minutes away from Reece Dunn competing in the men’s butterfly S14 final, with the 25-year-old making his Paralympics debut in Tokyo.

The Plymouth swimmer, who has autism, is competing in four events in Tokyo and won two world championship gold medals in London in 2019, including in the 100m butterfly S14.

Dunn only started competing on the international stage in 2019.

Paralympics 2021: Reece Dunn in men’s 100m butterfly S14 final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 10:08 , Jamie Braidwood

World champion and world record holder Dunn set the fastest time in qualifying for today’s final and starts in lane four.

Gabriel Bandeira of Brazil is set to be Dunn’s closest competitor in lane five.

Paralympics 2021: Reece Dunn in men’s 100m butterfly S14 final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 10:09 , Jamie Braidwood

Bandeira takes an early lead over the first 25m but Dunn comes back into it to reach the halfway mark in contention.

Paralympics 2021: Reece Dunn wins silver in men’s 100m butterfly S14 final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 10:10 , Jamie Braidwood

And it’s Bandeira who pulls away to take gold, with Dunn claiming silver ahead of Australia’s Ben Hance.

Bandeira sets a new Paralympic record while Dunn was slightly slower than his qualifying time this morning.

But that’s still a first Paralympic medal for the 25-year-old British swimmer, who will three more opportunity to go for gold in Tokyo.

1) Bandeira (BRA) - 54.76

2) Dunn (GBR) - 55.12

3) Hance (AUS) - 56.90

Paralympics 2021: Reece Dunn wins silver in men’s 100m butterfly S14 final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 10:15 , Jamie Braidwood

“I’m obviously happy about it, but a little bit disappointed about my finish because that’s where I lost it. But happy nonetheless,” Reece Dunn tells Channel 4.

“I know it was going to be a tough race going into it and it would go down to the last five metres.”

Paralympics 2021: World record broken in women’s 100m butterfly S14 final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 10:20 , Jamie Braidwood

Great Britain’s Louise Fiddes and Jessica-Jane Applegate missed out on the medal positions in the women’s 100m butterfly S14 final, which saw the world record time broken by Valeriia Shabalina of the ROC.

Fiddes finished fifth and Applegate sixth in the final as Shabalina broke the world record with a time of 1:03.59.

Australia’s Paige Leonhardt and Ruby Storm completed the top three.

Paralympics 2021: Great Britain vs Canada in wheelchair rugby

Wednesday 25 August 2021 10:23 , Jamie Braidwood

Great Britain took 28-23 lead into half time against Canada, as Roberts and Madell continue to go toe-to-toe.

Roberts has 20 tries to his name while Madell has 21 - with Canada cutting GB’s lead in the first few moments of the third quarter.

Paralympics 2021: Great Britain defeat Canada in wheelchair rugby opener

Wednesday 25 August 2021 10:51 , Jamie Braidwood

It was close from start to finish, but Great Britain have held on to defeat Canada in their opening match of the wheelchair rugby tournament in Tokyo.

A big second half from Stuart Robinson aided Jim Roberts’ 26 tries as ParalympicsGB recorded a 50-47 victory.

Canada were led by a huge game from Zak Madell, who scored 31 of his team’s points.

Great Britain take on New Zealand in their second match tomorrow.

Paralympics 2021: Zara Mullooly in women’s 50m freestyle S10 final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 11:13 , Jamie Braidwood

Next up for ParalympicsGB at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre is Zara Mullooly in the women’s 50m freestyle S10 final.

The 18-year-old won a silver medal in this event at the 2019 world championships in London but qualified for today’s final seventh fastest overall.

The Northampton-based swimmer lists team-mate Ellie Simmonds as one of her idols, which seems to be the case for most of Great Britain’s debutants in Tokyo!

Paralympics 2021: Zara Mullooly in women’s 50m freestyle S10 final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 11:22 , Jamie Braidwood

Anastasiia Gontar wins gold for the ROC in the women’s 50m freestyle S10 final as Zara Mullooly finishes seventh in the far lane.

Mullooly was left behind in a fast race, finishing with a time of 28.73, as Gontar beat Chantalle Zijderveld and Aurélie Rivard to the wall.

The 18-year-old will be back for the 100m freestyle event on Sunday.

Paralympics 2021: Early medals for Team GB in the pool

Wednesday 25 August 2021 11:26 , Jamie Braidwood

Reece Dunn and Toni Shaw have been presented with their medals, after winning silver and bronze respectively in the pool this morning.

Paralympics 2021: Tully Kearney in women’s 200m freestyle S5 final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 12:07 , Jamie Braidwood

ParalympicsGB are aiming to end the first day of swimming on a high with two competitors up next in the final of the S5 women’s 200m freestyle.

Tully Kearney is competing in the Paralympics for the first time after missing out on Rio 2016 but is a multiple world champion. The 25-year-old is the world champion in the S5 women’s 200m freestyle following her success in London two years ago.

Joining her in the final is Suzanna Hext, who qualified third fastest overall. Kearney qualified fastest, with Italy's Monica Boggioni separating the GB team-mates.

Paralympics 2021: Tully Kearney in women’s 200m freestyle S5 final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 12:14 , Jamie Braidwood

Kearney is in lane four, and is next to Hext who is in lane three.

And it’s a storming start for the world champion, who takes one-second lead into the first turn.

Paralympics 2021: Tully Kearney in women’s 200m freestyle S5 final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 12:16 , Jamie Braidwood

At the halfway stage Kearney is more than two seconds ahead of China’s Li Zhang.

The 25-year-old is in a great position for gold but still has work to do over the final 50m.

Paralympics 2021: Silver for Tully Kearney in women’s 200m freestyle S5 final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 12:16 , Jamie Braidwood

Kearney fades over the final 25m and Zhang storms back to take gold in the final few metres!

Kearney committed to a lightning fast opening 100m and was on world record pace at the turn - but Zhang held on and timed her attack perfectly to pass Kearney on the final stretch.

Paralympics 2021: Silver for Tully Kearney in women’s 200m freestyle S5 final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 12:21 , Jamie Braidwood

It’s a first Paralympic medal for Tully Kearney, who still has the 100m to go.

Zhang defends her Paralympic title after she won gold in this event in Rio five years ago.

Suzanna Hext just misses out on the podium places after finishing fourth.

1) Zhang (CHN) - 2:46.53

2) Kearney (GBR) - 2:46.65

3) Boggioni (ITA) - 2:55.70

Paralympics 2021: Silver for Tully Kearney in women’s 200m freestyle S5 final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 12:23 , Jamie Braidwood

Heartbreak for Tully Kearney, but that was probably the race of the day in terms of drama. What an incredible effort down the stretch from Zhang.

Paralympics 2021: Tully Kearney reacts after winning silver in women’s 200m freestyle S5 final

Wednesday 25 August 2021 12:40 , Jamie Braidwood

“I’m a bit speechless at the moment,” begins Tully Kearney. “There were question marks over whether I’d ever get to a Paralympic Games, so the fact that I’ve been able to race and win a medal is crazy.

“After [missing out on] Rio, I thought the Paralympics weren’t going to be possible for me. It’s all down to my amazing team and their support that I’m here - I just swam.

“I’ve not had that much training, I’ve had injuries and things, so for me I think to get here... I was nervous that my finish wouldn’t have been good enough to do the 200m, so to get a PB is just pretty impressive.”

Paralympics 2021: GB’s Will Bayley wins table tennis opener

Wednesday 25 August 2021 13:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Will Bayley has opened his defence of his Paralympic table tennis gold medal with a 3-1 victory over Poland’s Maksym Chudzicki.

Bayley, who won the gold medal in the seven class in Rio, is ranked number one in the world and is the favourite to defend his title in Tokyo.

Reece Dunn and Toni Shaw claim silver and bronze in pool for ParalympicsGB

Wednesday 25 August 2021 13:40 , Jamie Braidwood

Paralympic debutants Reece Dunn and Toni Shaw claimed medals for Great Britain on day one of the swimming at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

World champion Dunn had to settle for silver in the S14 100m butterfly as Brazilian Gabriel Bandeira pipped him to first place with a Paralympic record of 54.76.

Earlier, 18-year-old Shaw won ParalympicsGB’s first medal of the Games in the pool, clinching bronze in S9 400m freestyle with a lifetime best of 4:39.32.

Plymouth Leander swimmer Dunn – the world record holder – finished 0.36 seconds adrift of Bandeira after falling short as he battled to overhaul his rival during a hard-fought second length.

The 25-year-old had underlined his gold credentials as the fastest qualifier, setting a Paralympic record of 55.99, which he and, crucially, Bandeira then subsequently broke in the final.

Reece Dunn and Toni Shaw claim silver and bronze in pool for ParalympicsGB

Paralympics 2021: What happened today at the Games?

Wednesday 25 August 2021 13:37 , Jamie Braidwood

• Sarah Storey won ParalympicsGB their first gold medal of Tokyo as the 43-year-old broke her own world record in the women’s C5 pursuit

• Storey’s team-mate Crystal Lane-Wright took silver in the women’s C5 pursuit final, as Stephen Bate won silver in the men’s B individual pursuit

• In the pool, Tully Kearney was denied a gold medal in the final moments of the women’s 200m freestyle S5 final, but claimed a silver medal

• Reece Dunn also won silver in the men’s 100m butterfly S14 final, as 18-year-old Toni Shaw won bronze in the women’s 400m S9 race

‘Superhuman’ Sarah Storey an inspiration to all, says British Cycling chief

Wednesday 25 August 2021 13:45 , Jamie Braidwood

Dame Sarah Storey has been hailed as a “superhuman” whose value to the paracycling community is worth as much weight in gold as the 15 she has won during an extraordinary Paralympic Games career.

British Cycling chief executive Brian Facer marvelled at Storey’s latest accomplishment, the 43-year-old smashing her own world record en route to retaining women’s C5 3000 metres individual pursuit gold at the Izu Velodrome.

If Storey successfully defends her C5 time trial and C4-5 road race crowns at these Tokyo Games next week then she would move on to 17 golds, one more than swimmer Mike Kenny claimed between 1976 and 1988.

Facer told the PA news agency: “She’s just superhuman. To have had the mindset, the ability and the body to be able to go on and do this, when others could give up and retire easily sooner than this, is just phenomenal.”

More here:

‘Superhuman’ Sarah Storey an inspiration to all, says British Cycling chief

Reece Dunn and Toni Shaw claim silver and bronze in pool for ParalympicsGB

Wednesday 25 August 2021 14:05 , Jamie Braidwood

Paralympic debutants Reece Dunn and Toni Shaw claimed medals for Great Britain on day one of the swimming at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

World champion Dunn had to settle for silver in the S14 100m butterfly as Brazilian Gabriel Bandeira pipped him to first place with a Paralympic record of 54.76.

Earlier, 18-year-old Shaw won ParalympicsGB’s first medal of the Games in the pool, clinching bronze in S9 400m freestyle with a lifetime best of 4:39.32.

Plymouth Leander swimmer Dunn – the world record holder – finished 0.36 seconds adrift of Bandeira after falling short as he battled to overhaul his rival during a hard-fought second length.

The 25-year-old had underlined his gold credentials as the fastest qualifier, setting a Paralympic record of 55.99, which he and, crucially, Bandeira then subsequently broke in the final.

Lee Pearson: Godfather of para dressage has eyes on Paralympic gold once again

Wednesday 25 August 2021 14:30 , Jamie Braidwood

With 11 gold medals from five Paralympics, it is no wonder Lee Pearson is called the godfather of para dressage.

From Sydney to Rio, via Athens, Beijing, and London, he’s been a familiar presence and reliable source of gold for Great Britain across 21 glorious years.

But this week in Tokyo will mark a Games of firsts for the 47-year-old from Stoke. It’s the first time he’s competed without spectators, the first time he’s competed on new horse Breezer and his first Games as a knight of the realm.

Win or lose on Thursday, when he goes in the individual test, these Games will be the latest chapter of an incredible story that has also seen Pearson cuddled by Margaret Thatcher and become the first openly gay man on the British team.

“I believe in fate and fate has brought me here,” he said. “Never, ever in my wildest dreams did I think I’d go to Sydney [2000]. Never did I think I would get a medal, and never did I think I would get a gold medal, and never did I think that I would get three gold medals and then go on to do that at subsequent Games.

Godfather of para dressage Lee Pearson has eyes on Paralympic gold once again

The new Ali Jawad and a journey through immense adversity to the Tokyo Paralympics

Wednesday 25 August 2021 15:00 , Jamie Braidwood

In a special report, Vithushan Ehantharajah charts the remarkable journey of Ali Jawad through the Covid-19 pandemic and to a fourth Paralympic Games.

“There is something Ali Jawad wants The Independent to know straight away.

“The Ali Jawad who won silver at the 2016 Paralympics is no more. So too the one who took gold in the European Championships the year before, and the one crowned World Champion the year before that. As for that 24-year-old who lifted 185.5kg in November 2013 – a world record at the time – he’s long gone, too.

“I can’t guarantee anything,” he offers earnestly in the first of a series of monthly chats with The Independent over Zoom.”

Read Ehantharajah’s full feature, here:

The new Ali Jawad and a journey through immense adversity to the Tokyo Paralympics

Paralympics 2021: Medal table after opening day

Wednesday 25 August 2021 15:17 , Jamie Braidwood

ParalympicsGB has a successful first day in Tokyo as they won six medals across the track cycling and swimming events.

Sarah Storey’s gold medal was GB’s first of the Games and was followed by four silvers and a bronze in the velodrome and the pool.

But it’s Australia who lead the way after day one, following a dominant day at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre. The country won eight medals, including four golds, in the pool today.

1) Australia - 6 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze (10 overall)

2) China - 5 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze (8)

3) Ukraine - 1 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze (8)

4) ROC - 3 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze (6)

5) Great Britain - 1 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze (6)

Paralympics 2021: Storey ‘proud’ to win GB’s first medal

Wednesday 25 August 2021 15:37 , Jamie Braidwood

Tully Kearney cries happy tears after realising Paralympic dream at last

Wednesday 25 August 2021 15:48 , Jamie Braidwood

Tully Kearney finally got to cry happy tears just five years after she was told to give up on her Paralympic dream.

The 24-year-old seemed on course for a glorious gold in the 200m S5 freestyle but ran out of steam in the last 25 metres, beaten to the wall by China’s Zhang Li.

Kearney was expected to be one of the stars of Rio but was forced to withdraw two weeks before she was due to fly. Her condition, dystonia syndrome, progressed to the extent she was told her career was over and only her mum could convince her to return to the pool.

The seven-time world champion even had to learn how to swim again and says her medal is a reward for proving all the doubters wrong. “It means a lot to me because it shows other people with dystonia and all disabilities you don’t have to give up,” she said.

“You can achieve what you want to achieve, you just have to adapt and it might take longer. There were many times when I almost gave up. When I started to withdraw, there were many times when I was told I wouldn’t swim again and it took me so long to get back into the pool.

“I thought it would be better not to swim than learn I couldn’t. But my mum pushed me, because she knew I would find a way. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here.”

Read Charlie Bennett’s full report from Tokyo, here.

Tully Kearney cries happy tears after realising Paralympic dream at last

Japan extends Covid state of emergency as Paralympics events begin

Wednesday 25 August 2021 16:15 , Jamie Braidwood

The coronavirus state of emergency in Japan was extended for the second week in a row on Wednesday, bringing eight more prefectures under restrictions in a bid to keep a check on the disease outbreak driven by the highly transmissible Delta variant.

The increasing pressure to control surging infections comes as the island country is hosting the Paralympics Games that involve the participation of thousands, despite mounting criticism of its handling of the disease outbreak.

The Covid-19 induced emergency was extended until 12 September by the authorities last week, expanding the restrictions to 13 prefectures from the six that include national capital Tokyo.

While eight prefectures like Hiroshima, Okayama, Aichi and Hokkaido have been shifted from “quasi-emergency” to full emergency status, four new prefectures have also been added to separate “quasi-emergency” status.

Japan extends Covid state of emergency even as Paralympics events begin

Will Bayley makes strong start to table tennis title defence

Wednesday 25 August 2021 17:02 , Ben Burrows

Away from the velodrome and pool, table tennis star Will Bayley made a strong start the defence of his Paralympic class seven title.

The 33-year-old, who recovered from a serious knee injury suffered on Strictly Come Dancing to be at the delayed Games, wrapped up a 3-1 qualifying win over Poland’s Maksym Chudzicki.

He edged the opening game of the Group B encounter 13-11 and, after losing the second 11-8, regained his composure to complete the job with 11-3 and 11-8 successes.

“Obviously it has been a massive build-up to the tournament and I did feel the nerves before my match,” Bayley, who plays Thailand’s Chalermpong Punpoo on Thursday in his final group match, said in a statement.

“Experience is massive because I’ve played four tournaments as big as this and I just felt that I had that experience and he was maybe lacking a little bit of that, but he has got the ability.

“I haven’t played a match for two years and it’s what we train so hard for; we live for these moments to compete for GB.”

JJ Chalmers reunites with pilot who flew him out of Afghanistan

Wednesday 25 August 2021 17:22 , Ben Burrows

Former Royal Marine JJ Chalmers was reunited with the pilot who flew him out of Afghanistan when he was injured a decade ago.

Chalmers was injured in an IED blast in Afghanistan in 2011 before going on to become a TV presenter and a part of the Tokyo Paralympic Games on-air coverage.

Onboard his flight to Tokyo, the former marine discovered pilot David Ellis was the same pilot who flew him back from Afghanistan.

Chalmers said he immediately “burst into tears” upon being told and never thought he would meet the “profound and important” figure who got him home when he was injured.

Watch: JJ Chalmers meets life-saving pilot who flew him out of Afghanistan on way to Tokyo 2020

Great Britain make a splash in the pool on day one

Wednesday 25 August 2021 17:40 , Ben Burrows

Paralympic debutants Tully Kearney, Reece Dunn and Toni Shaw claimed medals for Great Britain on day one of the swimming at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

Kearney was denied gold in the S5 200m freestyle in heart-breaking fashion after leading throughout before defending champion Zhang Li snatched victory at the last with a winning margin of just 0.12 seconds.

Dunn also had to settle for silver in the S14 100m butterfly as Brazilian Gabriel Bandeira pipped him to first place with a Paralympic record of 54.76.

Earlier, 18-year-old Shaw won ParalympicsGB’s first medal of the Games in the pool, clinching bronze in S9 400m freestyle with a lifetime best of 4:39.32.

Kadeena Cox looking to inspire next generation

Wednesday 25 August 2021 18:15 , Ben Burrows

Paralympic star Kadeena Cox hopes to inspire a future generation of black cyclists by showing the sport is not just for “white, middle-class males”.

Cox wrote her name into the history books at Rio 2016 by setting a world record en route to claiming gold in the C4-5 500m time trial and then repeating the feat in the T38 400m athletics event.

The 30-year-old will defend those multi-sport titles in Tokyo, beginning at the velodrome on Friday.

Leeds-born Cox, who has Jamaican parents, acknowledges there is a noticeable lack of diversity within elite cycling and has already set about changing that by setting up her KC Academy.

She believes more role models are needed and is eager to provide further inspiration in Japan after BMX rider Kye Whyte last month claimed BMX silver at the Olympics.

“Within British cycling there is limited numbers: there’s me, there’s Kye, there’s Quillan (Isidore), who is the other BMX who didn’t go the (Olympic) Games, and that’s kind of it,” she said.

“There aren’t very many people from a diverse background. I started my cycling academy to try and get more people from a BAME background into cycling.

“We’ve got a couple of cyclists that are currently working their way up through the rankings and hoping to be on the squad in the next few years.

“It’s nice Kye was out there, he’s won a medal, the nation has seen him, it’s like: ‘If Kye can do it, then I can do it’.

“And I always say it’s that visibility - if you see someone that looks like you doing something then you think you can achieve that.

“I would never have picked up cycling had it not been for my disability because it just wasn’t something I saw.

“You see someone riding past in their Lycra and it’s normally white, middle-class males and I never would have seen myself in that position, being an elite cyclist.

“So I think that visibility that Kye has given us, that visibility that I’m trying to give within disability sport, is just so key and hopefully it will mean more people will be coming into the sport.”

Inspirational Paralympics table tennis player wows fans

Wednesday 25 August 2021 18:45 , Ben Burrows

Inspirational Paralympics star Ibrahim Hamatdou has wowed sports fans by playing table tennis with his bat in his mouth.

The Egyptian athlete lost both his arms in a train accident when he was 10-years-old and after finding viral fame in 2014, is back in the spotlight at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

“I was trying first to use the bat under the arm, and I also tried using other things that weren’t working so well. Finally, I tried using my mouth,” Hamatdou has previously said of his unique technique.

Watch: Paralympian Ibrahim Hamatdou wows fans by playing table tennis with his mouth

Sarah Storey starts as she means to go on on day one

Wednesday 25 August 2021 19:15 , Ben Burrows

Dame Sarah Storey began her quest to become Great Britain’s most successful Paralympian by smashing her own world record en route to stylishly retaining C5 3000m individual pursuit gold.

In a repeat of the all-British Rio 2016 final, Storey once more got the better of compatriot Crystal Lane-Wright.

The relentless defending champion laid down a marker earlier on day one of Tokyo 2020 by shaving more than four seconds of her own world record in qualifying, powering over the line in 3:27.057

She did not need to repeat the trick in the deciding race at the Izu Velodrome as she remarkably caught Lane-Wright inside eight laps following a rapid start, leaving her rival to settle for another silver.

In winning her country’s first gold of the Games, Storey took her total haul to 15 Paralympic golds - one short of swimmer Mike Kenny’s British record - and a phenomenal 26 medals overall.

The 43-year-old will have a chance to surpass Kenny next week when she attempts to defend her C5 time trial and C4-5 road race crowns.

“For me as an individual, I’ve won a medal at every single Games I’ve been to and this is my fourth time winning the individual pursuit in a row,” she told Channel 4.

“I broke the world record in Beijing, in London, in Rio, this morning, so for me it’s been quite overwhelming to try and keep backing that up and keep pushing on the pedals to go faster and faster.

“I never expected to go as quick as I did this morning but I’m so glad that I did.”

Ali Jawad’s remarkable journey to Tokyo

Wednesday 25 August 2021 19:45 , Tom Kershaw

Battling Crohn’s disease, Ali Jawad defied the odds to reach his fourth Paralympic Games. Vithushan Ehantharajah has spoken to the powerlifter every month throughout the pandemic to chart his remarkable journey to Tokyo.

The new Ali Jawad and a journey through immense adversity to the Tokyo Paralympics

Godfather of para dressage eyes gold again

Wednesday 25 August 2021 20:15 , Tom Kershaw

Lee Pearson, the Godfather of para dressage, has his eyes on gold once again.

“I believe in fate and fate has brought me here,” he told Charlie Bennett. “Never, ever in my wildest dreams did I think I’d go to Sydney [2000]. Never did I think I would get a medal, and never did I think I would get a gold medal, and never did I think that I would get three gold medals and then go on to do that at subsequent Games.

“I’m much more excited than I was for Tokyo. I was a bit unsure with everything going on around the world, but now I just want to get out there, get my pony out there, and get down the centre line of a dressage arena.

“It’s going to be very tough psychologically with the restrictions and with the humidity and heat, but myself and these guys are very experienced in different climates and different situations.

“Our experience should be an advantage, but we need to turn that advantage into medals – and preferably gold medals.”

Godfather of para dressage Lee Pearson has eyes on Paralympic gold once again

Bayley makes bright start in table tennis

Wednesday 25 August 2021 20:45 , Tom Kershaw

Away from the velodrome and pool, table tennis star Will Bayley made a strong start to the defence of his Paralympic class seven title earlier today.

The 33-year-old, who recovered from a serious knee injury suffered on Strictly Come Dancing to be at the delayed Games, wrapped up a 3-1 qualifying win over Poland’s Maksym Chudzicki.

He edged the opening game of the Group B encounter 13-11 and, after losing the second 11-8, regained his composure to complete the job with 11-3 and 11-8 successes.

Storey hails young family as her ‘biggest motivation’

Wednesday 25 August 2021 21:15 , Tom Kershaw

Dame Sarah Storey hailed her absent young family as the “biggest motivation” after kick-starting her mission to become Britain’s most successful Paralympian by storming to her country’s first gold of the Tokyo Games.

Cyclist Storey smashed her own C5 3000m individual pursuit world record in qualifying by more than four seconds before mercilessly hunting down compatriot Crystal Lane-Wright in a one-sided repeat of the Rio 2016 final.

Wednesday’s breathtaking victory inside an empty Izu Velodrome moved the relentless 43-year-old on to 15 career golds – one behind behind British record holder Mike Kenny – with two road events to come next week.

Storey was visibly emotional following a familiar trip to the top of the podium as she contemplated husband Barney, eight-year-old daughter Louisa, three-year-old son Charlie and her parents being back home because of coronavirus restrictions.

She highlighted the ongoing sacrifices made by those closest to her, while holding back tears as she spoke of the challenges of balancing elite sport with attempting to be the “best mum in the world”.

“It’s hugely difficult. It is really, really hard,” she said. “I FaceTimed them last night. You know they are the biggest motivation. It is harder now because you can’t see them and share it with them, and all of the things they put up with. They came into a bubble with me (in England) to enable me to do this.

“Your own personal targets are nothing to shy away from. If you want to do things and can have the right support to do them, it’s possible. But equally you also want to be the best mum in the world and that is why not having them here makes it so hard.

“I am only an athlete for a few hours a day. You’re a mum 24/7. That is why leaving them and not having him here, not being able to pick them up when they have wobbles…they are picking me up probably more than I am them, which doesn’t feel like it is the right way round. I feel hugely grateful that they have given me this opportunity and it was their decision that I came without them. I gave them a choice.”

Simmonds taking fresh perspective into Games

Wednesday 25 August 2021 21:45 , Tom Kershaw

Ellie Simmonds, who will get underway in her Women’s SM6 200m individual medley heat at around 1.30am, insists she’s taking a more holistic approach to her fourth Paralympic Games.

The five-time swimming gold medallist, who became the face of British para sport at just 13 years old, admitted she’d almost decided to retire before the Rio Games due to the weight of pressure and expectation.

But now 26, she’s adjusted to cope with the demands placed on her and says she has a fresh perspective ahead of her attempt to win further gold in Tokyo.

“There are pros and cons as an older woman now,” she said. “I am thankful to have gone to four Games and in Beijing I was 13, a kid really. And when I look at 13-year-olds now, I think wow you’re young.

“I feel the pressure more now, I am more aware of that than as a 13-year-old or 17-year-old, when you just do swimming and don’t think about the outside bits.

“I am more aware of those types of challenges and I work with a psychologist really well. So, for me, these Games are about going out there, racing and focussing on being happy and enjoying it.

“I am just soaking it all in, it is a Paralympics at the end of the day, it only happens every four years.”

Swimmer Abbas Karimi is only Afghan competing in Games

Wednesday 25 August 2021 23:29 , Graeme Massie

Karimi, who was born without arms, left Afghanistan eight years ago to follow his Paralympic dream.

And after first going to Iran he ended up in Turkey, where he continued to train despite living in a string of refugee camps.

The 24-year-old then connected with Mike Ives, a retired wrestling and football coach in Portland, Oregon, and he helped him resettle in the US as a refugee in 2016.

Now he is competing in Tokyo for the Refugee Para Team.

He told The New York Times that competing against the backdrop of what was happening in the country was “very, very hard.”

Australia lead medal table going into day two of competition

Thursday 26 August 2021 00:17 , Graeme Massie

The country’s Paralympians won six gold medals, one silver and three bronzes on the opening day of events at the Tokyo Games.

US men’s wheelchair basketball team taking on Germany

Thursday 26 August 2021 01:24 , Graeme Massie

The US won gold medals in both the men’s and women’s competition in Rio 2016 and are hoping to defend their titles.

Team GB’s Maisie Summers-Newton dominates heat in pool

Thursday 26 August 2021 01:58 , Graeme Massie

The 19-year-old from Northampton won her heat in the women’s 200m medley SM6, ahead of fellow British swimmers Grace Harvey and Ellie Simmonds.

All three are likely to make the final based on their times.

Summers-Newton, 19, who has achondroplasia, the same condition as Simmonds, lined up in the same heat as her idol as they both aim for gold.

Paralympics wheelchair fencing schedule: Matches and start times

Thursday 26 August 2021 03:01 , Graeme Massie

The Paralympic wheelchair fencing gets underway on 25 August at the Makuhari Messe convention centre in Tokyo.

Participants from 20 nations will compete across 16 categories with events in the épée, foil and sabre.

More below.

When are the wheelchair fencing matches at the Tokyo Paralympics?

Paralympics goalball schedule: Matches and start times

Thursday 26 August 2021 04:08 , Graeme Massie

Goalball, one of the most unique and exciting Paralympic events, gets underway on 25 August at the Makuhari Messe convention centre in Tokyo.

A three-a-side team sport for blind and partially-sighted athletes, it’s played on an indoor court with a netted goal at either end, with teams scoring points by bowling a ball into the opposition’s goal.

When are the goalball matches at the Tokyo Paralympics?

Jordan win gold in powerlifting

Thursday 26 August 2021 04:37 , Shweta Sharma

Omar Sami Hamadeh Qarada of Jordan has won gold in men’s -49kg. With his top lift of 173kg, Hamadeh Qarada beat winner at Rio 2016, Vietnam’s Le van Cong.

Cong grabbed a silver and Azerbaijan’s Parvin Ammadov takes bronze.

First Paralympics participant hospitalised with Covid in Japan

Thursday 26 August 2021 04:54 , Shweta Sharma

A non-resident participant in the Paralympics Games has been hospitalised after testing positive for Covid-19, Kyodo News said on Thursday, citing the Games’ organising committee.

The person has been hospitalised with non-severe symptoms. It is first hospitalisation of Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

According to reports, two more athletes have tested positive for Covid-19 inside the Paralympic Village, taking the total number of cases at the complex to 13.

First Paralympics participant hospitalised with Covid in Japan

Thursday 26 August 2021 04:54 , Shweta Sharma

A non-resident participant in the Paralympics Games has been hospitalised after testing positive for Covid-19, Kyodo News said on Thursday, citing the Games’ organising committee.

The person has been hospitalised with non-severe symptoms. It is first hospitalisation of Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

According to reports, two more athletes have tested positive for Covid-19 inside the Paralympic Village, taking the total number of cases at the complex to 13.

Paralympics table tennis schedule: Day-to-day matches, events and dates

Thursday 26 August 2021 05:01 , Graeme Massie

The Tokyo Paralympics competition is split into the men’s and women’s tournaments.

It starts on 25 August and runs until the gold medal matches on 3 September.

Jack Rathborn has more.

When are the table tennis matches at the Tokyo Paralympics?

Guaranteed gold for Britain in men’s C3 3000m individual pursuit

Thursday 26 August 2021 05:04 , Shweta Sharma

Great Britain’s Jaco Van Gass finished in top time ahead of compariot Finlay Graham to qualify for men’s C3 3000m individual pursuit.

ParalympicsGB is guaranteed a gold medal later today no matter who wins.

Australia’s David Nicholas will race for bronze in a faceoff with Eduardo Santas Asensio of Spain.

USA defeat Canada in wheelchair rugby

Thursday 26 August 2021 05:27 , Shweta Sharma

The Americans have won 58-54 against Canada in their group B match. It was the USA’s second win as they continued to dominate the sport.

Canada have so far had no luck with two losses so far.

Aileen McGlynn takes GB’s fourth cycling medal at Paralympics

Thursday 26 August 2021 05:53 , Shweta Sharma

Aileen McGlynn claimed Great Britain’s opening medal on day two of the Tokyo Games, while fellow cyclist Jaco Van Gass set up an all-British final with Finn Graham by blitzing the 3000m individual pursuit world record.

Visually impaired rider McGlynn took silver in the women’s B 1000m time trial with a personal best of 1:06.743.

Read more:

Ryley Batt reacts on Australia dominating medal table

Thursday 26 August 2021 05:58 , Shweta Sharma

Aussie Rugby player Ryley Batt told Channel 7 that country’s six medal haul so far is a huge boost to the team.

"I absolutely love being here at the point in time. The positivity the whole mob is showing, we’re showing all our values: loyal, proud, fierce. [To be] top of the medal tally on day one, as Australians, how good is that?" he said.

But said shock defeat against Denmark yesterday in rugby was “shocking” to him.

"It was obviously a result that absolutely shocked us and I think every other team out there, it was definitely not expected," he said. "Hats off to Denmark. They played an absolute amazing game. I have never seen them play like that before. They were well drilled, they were just on point.”

Spain defeat Canada in men's wheelchair basketball

Thursday 26 August 2021 06:10 , Shweta Sharma

Spain secured a thrilling victory in men’s wheelchair basketball as they stunned Canadians 78-41. It was a 37-point lead for the Spanish team.

Spain secured silver at Rio 2016 and seems to be on track to get to finish at the podium following similar performances in next rounds.

Meanwhile, basketball results so far:Team USA beat Germany 58-55 (men’s)Germany defeated Australia 77-58 (women’s)Japan beat Great Britain 54-48 (women’s)

China break world record to win gold in powerlifting

Thursday 26 August 2021 06:20 , Shweta Sharma

Guo Lingling made a world record lift with 109kg in the women’s -41kg. She beat her previous record by 2kg.

Indonesia’s Ni Nengah Widiasih won her country’s first medal of the Tokyo 2020 Games taking silver (98kg) while Venezuela’s Clara Sarahy Fuentes Monasterio took bronze (97kg).

Australia’s Darren Hicks to fight for gold after Belgium’s Edwoud Vromant disqualified

Thursday 26 August 2021 06:21 , Shweta Sharma

Edwoud Vromant has been disqualified after reportedly breaching rule 13.008 (use of saddle).

His disqualification has made way for Australian Darren Hicks in race for gold medal in the men’s C2 3,000m individual pursuit.

He will now face off with France’s Alexandre Leaute.

Jody Cundy on tracks to retain C4-5 1000m crown

Thursday 26 August 2021 06:36 , Shweta Sharma

English cyclist Jody Cundy is up against less-impaired C5 riders to retain C4-5 1000m crown. He has represented Great Britain at six Summer Paralympics and has won seven gold medals across swimming and cycling events

Read what Cundy told The Independent about missing gold:

Jody Cundy: Missing gold was hard lesson, but bronze is one to

USA takedown Brazil in goalball

Thursday 26 August 2021 07:07 , Shweta Sharma

The Rio silver medalist defeated Brazil by 8-6 in the men’s preliminary group A match.

It was a heated battle at the Makuhari Messe Hall with USA in 3-2 after the first half.

Goalball is a unique game, played indoors with athletes having vision impairment. The aim of the game is to roll the ball into the opponent’s goal while rival players try to block the ball with their bodies.

Read more here about the game:

What is goalball at Tokyo Paralympics?

Great Britain’s world record holder Jody Cundy wins silver in track cycling

Thursday 26 August 2021 07:28 , Shweta Sharma

Jody Cundy, who was aiming to retain his Rio 2016 title, has won silver after finishing in Paralympic-record time of 1:01.847.

Spain’s Alfonso Cabello Llamas stunned Cundy by winning in a world record time of 1:01.557 in men’s C4-5 1000m time trial field.

Slovakia’s Jozef Metelka will take home bronze, clocking 1:04.786.

Russian cyclist Astashov wins gold in C1 individual pursuit

Thursday 26 August 2021 07:46 , Shweta Sharma

Mikhail Astashov has won gold in C1 individual pursuit. He raced to catch Canada’s Tristen Chernove, who finished second at the podium.

China’s Li Zhangyu won bronze finishing in 3:39.273 before Spain’s Ricardo Ten Argilés.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website