Tokyo Paralympics LIVE: Sarah Storey wins 17th career gold, Ellie Simmonds disqualified in swimming

Great Britain’s Dame Sarah Storey made history on day nine of the Paralympics by winning a 17th Paralympic gold medal to become the country’s outright most successful para athlete of all time.

Storey had trailed veteran German Kerstin Brachtendorf by 75 seconds at one stage of the C4-5 road race at the rain-soaked Fuji International Speedway but underlined her class to snatch glory.

The 43-year-old – whose first five golds came in the pool, beginning at Barcelona ’92 – has now won all 13 bike events entered dating back to her Games debut on two wheels in Beijing in 2008.

Elsewhere, Ben Watson won the men’s C1-3 race with fellow Briton Fin Graham claiming silver, while both Ellie Simmonds and Bethany Firth are targeting medals in the pool this morning.

In track and field world leader Dan Pembroke has gold in his sights in the F13 javelin and both Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett are in action this morning in the men’s wheelchair tennis. Follow all the latest updates from Tokyo:

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Tokyo paralympics 2020: day nine

• Dame Sarah Storey creates history after winning 17th para gold medal

• Ben Watson wins men’s road race for Great Britain

• Ellie Simmonds disqualified in final of 400m freestyle

Hewett defeated by Egberink

09:34 , Sarah Rendell

GB’s Alfie Hewett has been defeated by the Netherland’s Tom Egberink in straight sets.

The first set went 6-4 to the Dutch star but Hewett fought back in the second to push it to a tie break. However, Egberink took the second 7-6.

Heartbreak for Simmonds

09:32 , Sarah Rendell

Ellie Simmonds was disqualified in the women’s S6 400m freestyle final and it must be heartbreaking for her.

It is thought this is her last Games and this is the worst possible end for her.

Details on why she was disqualified are not yet clear.

Yuyan Jiang wins women’s S6 400m freestyle

09:22 , Sarah Rendell

Wow, what a swim by 16-year-old Yuyan Jiang who has won gold and set a new world record in the women’s S6 400m freestyle with a time of 5:04:57.

The first 50m went to China’s Jiang, who was favourite in this final, and she continued her lead after 100m.

It was a close battle between Jiang and Yelyzaveta Mereshko throughout the race but the Chinese star just edged the defending champion for the majority of the final.

Mereshko took a temporary lead after the 250m with her and Jiang miles ahead from the rest of the field.

Jiang then stormed ahead as she targeted the world record and she completely smashed it!

Ukraine’s Mereshko took silver and Switzerland’s Nora Meister claimed bronze.

GB’s Ellie Simmonds was disqualified, the reasons not clear yet, with Maisie Summers-Newton finishing fourth and Grace Harvey sixth.

Brazil’s Talisson Henrique Glock wins gold

09:10 , Sarah Rendell

Brazil’s Talisson Henrique Glock has won gold in the men’s S6 400m freestyle.

Italy’s Antonio Fantin claimed silver and RPC’s Vlacheslav Lenskii took bronze.

The women’s race to come shortly.

Swimming to come...

08:58 , Sarah Rendell

There are a myriad of para-swimming finals coming up this morning and we will be updating you on as many as possible!

The first being the men’s S6 400m freestyle in a few minutes time.

Egberink breaks Hewett’s serve in second set

08:46 , Sarah Rendell

The Netherlands’ Tom Egberink has just broken GB’s Alfie Hewett serve to go 4-3 up in the second set.

The Dutch para-athlete took the first set 6-4 so he has a chance to take a final spot here.

GB’s women’s basketball wins play-off

08:44 , Sarah Rendell

ParalympicsGB have defeated Spain 62-43 in the 7/8 play-off in the women’s basketball.

It isn’t where they would have wanted to finish, but a win to end the Tokyo Games is a positive for the team.

GB in wheelchair basketball play-off

08:35 , Sarah Rendell

Paralympics GB’s women’s basketball team are currently leading Spain 62-37 in the 7/8 play-off.

The first semi-final of the event will take place later today with Germany vs the Netherlands.

The semi-final between USA and China has been rescheduled and has not yet got a new start date.

Tom Egberink takes first set over Alfie Hewett

08:22 , Sarah Rendell

The Netherlands’ Tom Egberink has taken the first set of the men’s singles wheelchair tennis semi-final 6-4 against GB’s Alfie Hewett.

The first set was closely contested so there is time for Hewett to get back into this one, the second set currently stands at 1-1.

Storey speaks about her record-breaking day

08:18 , Sarah Rendell

Dame Sarah Storey became the most decorated ParalympicsGB para-athlete of all time as she won her 17th gold.

She has spoken about what the day has been like for her.

Storey told Channel 4: “It’s a bit like an out of body experience. It’s like I’m watching myself doing these things. I’ve been building to these races.

“I quite like racing in the rain, it brings another dynamic and it brings another level of technical skill.

“I’ve got an incredible grounding at home. I didn’t know the Paralympics existed until I was 11/12 years old. My parents told me to try and beat my own personal bests and that has always stuck with me.”

What is to come?

08:07 , Sarah Rendell

There is still plenty of action to come for ParalympicsGB para-athletes.

Maisie Summers-Newton, who already has two golds in this Games, and Ellie Simmonds will once again be in the pool in the S6 400m freestyle final at 9.11am BST.

Also in para-swimming, Jessica Jane-Applegate and Bethany Firth will be in the S14 100m backstroke final at 10.11am BST.

GB’s Dan Greaves in F64 discus final from 11.04am BST, Sammi Kinghorn is in T53 400m final at 11.41am BST and Dan Pembroke in F13 javelin final at 12.26am BST.

Not just sport action at the Games...

08:00 , Sarah Rendell

Cape Verde’s Keula Nidreia Pereira Semedo competed in the T11 200m heats earlier today, running a season best 33.04 seconds, and finished fourth to miss out on the semi-finals.

However, what happened next will be more memorable for the para-athlete as her guide Manuel Antonio Vaz de Veiga proposed on the track and she said yes!

What a lovely moment in Tokyo.

GB’s Hewett in action in wheelchair tennis semi-final

07:54 , Sarah Rendell

ParalympicsGB’s Alfie Hewett is currently playing his men’s singles wheelchair tennis semi-final against the Netherlands’ Tom Egberink.

The first set currently stands at 4-3 to Egberink in an incredibly tense and close match.

All the updates from that one to come, along with the women’s doubles wheelchair tennis semi-final where GB’s Lucy Shuker and Jordanne Whiley will take on China’s Ziying Wang and Zhenzhen Zhu.

Storey doesn’t rule out Paris 2024

07:33 , Tom Kershaw

Speaking about the possibility of competing at the Paralympics in 2024, Dame Sarah Storey said: “I need to go home and have a rest and gather my thoughts and talk to Barney (her husband, who is a three-time gold-winning Paralympian) and the kids and my parents and work out where we go from here.

“We’ve talked about Paris. I’d love to have a big bike ride from London to Paris, towing my bags behind me or something.”

Storey makes history with 17th gold

07:22 , Tom Kershaw

If you’re just joining us, Dame Sarah Storey made history overnight by becoming Great Britain’s outright most successful Paralympian after powering back to claim the 17th gold of her glittering career at Tokyo 2020.

Storey had trailed veteran German Kerstin Brachtendorf by 75 seconds at one stage of the C4-5 road race at the rain-soaked Fuji International Speedway but underlined her class to snatch glory in a finishing time of 2:21:51.

The 43-year-old – whose first five golds came in the pool, beginning at Barcelona ’92 – has now won all 13 bike events entered dating back to her Games debut on two wheels in Beijing in 2008.

“I couldn’t have imagined having eight Games, let alone winning medals at every Games, and 17 of those medals being gold,” she said. “It’s the dream I didn’t have coming true.

“I just wanted to be a British athlete, I wanted to compete for my country for as long as I possibly could, and to still be going strong in Games number eight is truly amazing.

“I never felt a weight on my shoulders. It is the sweetest feeling to know that I go back to my room and there’s a couple of gold medals in the safe to put this one with and that makes that tally very real then.”

Japan’s Kunieda defeats Britain’s Reid in tennis semi-finals

07:07 , Shweta Sharma

Shingo Kunieda of Japan has defeated Gordon Reid to storm into wheelchair tennis finals.

Kunieda, number 1 seed, gave a tough fight to Reid, finishing the game with final score of 6-3, 6-2.

Tokyo Paralympics: Third gold for China in table tennis

06:50 , Shweta Sharma

China have defeated Korea in women’s class 1-3 team to claimed third gold in a day in para table tennis.

Korea will take home silver medal.

Earlier, today China won against Korea in men’s team with the same score of 2-0 and women’s team defeated Netherlands.

GB’s Gordon Reid in action in wheelchair tennis semi-final

06:38 , Shweta Sharma

ParalympicsGB is up against host nation Japan in the men’s singles semi-final.

Japan’s Shingo Unieda took the early lead in the first set 6-3 against Gordon Reid as the play continues.

Great Britain defeated Canada 66-52 to play semi-final against the hosts Japan on Friday.

China defeat USA in goalball semi-final

06:23 , Shweta Sharma

China have defeated USA by an impressive score of 8-1 to win the goalball game on Thursday to compete in gold medal match.

USA will play for bronze tomorrow while China will play either Brazil or Lithuania.

Malaysian athlete stripped of gold medal for being late

06:14 , Shweta Sharma

Malaysia's putter Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli had won gold medal on Tuesday in the event but he was later disqualified for being three minutes late to the competitions.

Zolkefli was stripped of his gold medal and silver and bronze medallist were promoted. Maksym Koval of Ukraine got promoted to take gold, and compatriot Ukraine Oleksandr Yarovyi took silver. Bronze went to Greece’s Efstratios Nikolaidis.

During the event, he was allowed to compete as he had “logical” reason, according to International Paralympics Committee (IPC). But a referee had determined after the event that “there was no justifiable reason for the athletes’ failure to report” for the event on time.

Tokyo Paralympics: Awful collision on slippery cycling track

06:00 , Shweta Sharma

There was an awful collision between cyclists in the women’s T1-2 road race as rains continue to lash over Tokyo.

The situation turned tricky around a bend as Canada’s Shelley Gautier took a sharp turn and crashed. Australia’s Carol Cooke came in Gautier’s way and went down along with her. Germany’s Jana Majunke also collided but did not fall on the ground.

Gautier seems to have taken a bad hit while Cooke had to end the race and her chance to defend her Rio Games title. Cooke had won gold at the Rio games in same event.

Para Taekwondo debuts in Paralympics on day nine

05:39 , Shweta Sharma

Currently, para taekwondo competitions are being held in the Makuhari Messe hall for the time in Paralympics.

While the Korean martial arts form has been part of the Olympics since 2000 Games in Sydney it is making a debut on Thursday and will continue till 4 September.

There will be six competitions in men’s -61kg, -75kg and +75kg and in women’s -49kg, -58kg and +58kg.

The first final in the women’s K44 -49kg is on Thursday.

Blind runner wins surprise proposal after losing heats

05:11 , Shweta Sharma

Cape Verde’s blind runner Keula Nidreia Pereira Semedo was proposed by her guide on the tracks after she finished fourth and missed qualifying for women’s 200m T11.

Her guide Manuel Antonio Vaz da Vega came to the tacks around rest of the athletes and dropped to one knee to ask her to marry him.

And she said: ‘yes.’

China win second gold of day nine in para tennis table

04:55 , Shweta Sharma

China have defeated Netherlands duo in women’s team class 6-8 final. Chinese duo won with an impressive 2-0 victory.

Earlier, today China won against Korea in men’s team with the same score of 2-0.

China have potentially five medals up for grabs in para table tennis today and are yet to play against Germany and Ukraine.

Dame Sarah Storey makes history for Team GB with 17th career gold medal

04:23 , Shweta Sharma

The cycling superstar became the most successful ever British Paralympian when she crossed the line ahead of teammate Crystal Lane-Wright, who took the silver medal.

Storey, 43, tied swimmer Mike Kenny’s British record of 16 golds when she won the cycling time trial earlier this week and now own the record outright.

Read detailed report by Graeme Massie here

Dame Sarah Storey makes history for Team GB with 17th career gold medal

Tokyo Paralympics: Great Britain’s Benjamin Watson wins second gold

04:19 , Shweta Sharma

British cyclist Benjamin Watson has won his second gold medal of Paralympics 2020 in men’s C1-3 road race.

Second position at the podium was also held by a Briton, Finlay Graham, who won his second medal at the Games.

France’s Alexandre Leaute finished third to claim bronze. It is Leute’s fourth medal at his first Paralympics games.

Dame Sarah Story makes history for Team GB

03:53 , Graeme Massie

The British cycling star took gold in the road race ahead of teammate Crystal Lane-Wright, winning her record-breaking career 17th gold medal.

Team GB in gold and silver positions in women’s road race

03:50 , Graeme Massie

Dame Sarah Storey leading the way with Crystal Lane-Wright in silver position on final lap of 79km race.

Dame Sarah Storey hits the front of women’s road race

01:47 , Graeme Massie

The British star is leading the race on the first of six 13.2km laps in difficult conditions, and is powering on the leading group with teammate Crystal Lane-Wright.

Women’s road race begins in terrible weather conditions

01:34 , Graeme Massie

The TV commentators joked that they had no idea who was in what position as the cyclists took off in heavy rain for the 79km race in Japan.

Torrential conditions for Dame Sarah Storey as she chases history in road race

01:28 , Graeme Massie

Extremely wet conditions are in store for the cyclists at the track in Fuji as Dame Sarah Storey attempts to win her 17th gold medal for Great Britain.

The cyclists will race over 79km, doing six laps of the 13.2km course.

Day nine swimming heats get underway in Tokyo

01:21 , Graeme Massie

Talisson Henrique Glock of Team Brazil competes in the Men's 400m Freestyle - S6 heats on day 9 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

Dame Sarah Storey has sights set on Britain’s gold medal record

Thursday 2 September 2021 00:44 , Graeme Massie

Great Britain’s Dame Sarah Storey is targeting history on day nine of the Paralympics as she competes in the cycling road race to win her 17th career gold medal.

Storey, 43, tied swimmer Mike Kenny’s British record of 16 golds when she won the cycling time trial earlier this week and now gets the chance to take the all-time lead outright.

She began her athletic career as a swimmer in the 1992 Games before switching to cycling, where she has dominated the competition.

Tokyo is Storey’s eighth Paralympic Games and her fourth as a cyclist.

The road race will see the field make six laps of an alternative 13.2km circuit in Fuji, and it is an event that teammate Crystal Lane-Wright, who won silver in the time trial, believes is her strongest.

“Sweet 16. Can I be 16 again?” Storey said after being presented her time trial gold medal.

“I never set out on this journey to be Britain’s greatest Paralympian, but to match the best man and to have more other medals is just a dream come true.”

Sammi Kinghorn completes journey from farm life and ‘shattered dreams’ to Paralympic podium

Wednesday 1 September 2021 17:30 , Jamie Braidwood

From farm life to the fast lane, Sammi Kinghorn rode the path less travelled to the Paralympic podium.

The wheelchair racer grew up on a farm near Gordon, in the Scottish Borders, was taught to deliver lambs at the age of five and loved animals so much she wanted to be a zoologist.

In 2010, Kinghorn and her father were clearing snow at the farm when she climbed onto a forklift and he lowered the beam onto his daughter, shattering her spinal cord.

More than a decade later, the 25-year-old was pining for her family’s presence to watch her speed to a first Paralympic medal with bronze in the 100m T53.

More, here, from Tom Harle in Tokyo:

Sammi Kinghorn completes journey from shattered dreams to Paralympic podium

Great Britain basketball team battle adversity as quest for Tokyo gold continues

Wednesday 1 September 2021 17:00 , Jamie Braidwood

When their head coach tested positive for Covid and was forced to stay at home, Great Britain’s men’s wheelchair basketball team appeared to be a ship without a captain in Tokyo.

But through choppy seas they’ve somehow navigated their way to the semi-finals of the Paralympic Games – and will take some stopping as they chase the gold.

It admittedly took Great Britain a while to click into top gear in their quarter-final against Canada but when they did, they were irresistible as Gaz Choudhry led Great Britain to a 66-52 victory.

They will now play Japan in the semi-finals on Friday and know that a win will propel them to a gold medal match that would be as remarkable as unlikely following a stressful start to the Games.

Read Charlie Bennett’s report from Tokyo:

Great Britain basketball team battle adversity as quest for Tokyo gold continues

Tokyo Paralympics: Bronze for GB pair in women’s team table tennis

Wednesday 1 September 2021 16:45 , Jamie Braidwood

Susan Bailey has won her first Paralympics medal at her seventh appearance at a Games alongside Megan Shackleton in the women’s team table tennis competition.

The GB pair were defeated in the semi-final by China but had already secured a bronze medal for reaching that stage.

Bailey, 48, has competed in every Paralympic Games since Sydney 2000 but until today had never won a medal while Shackleton, 22, was making her debut.

Tokyo Paralympics: Alfie Hewett set for wheelchair tennis semi-final

Wednesday 1 September 2021 16:30 , Jamie Braidwood

Alfie Hewett will take on the Netherlands’ Tom Egberink in the wheelchair tennis semi-finals tomorrow, where he could set up a meeting with defending champion and GB doubles partner Gordon Reid.

Rebecca Redfern ‘proud’ after leaning on ‘stubborn’ side to claim silver for baby son Patrick

Wednesday 1 September 2021 16:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Rebecca Redfern will relish bringing a prized Paralympic medal home to toddler son Patrick - just don’t call her Supermum.

In the last year, the 21-year-old has finished a degree, started a family and now won silver at the Tokyo Paralympics in the 100m breaststroke S13 for the visually impaired.

Redfern spent the early days of lockdown training a hot tub and finishing her dissertation, and when pools did reopen social distancing robbed her of 30 per cent of training time.

“I found out I was pregnant and I thought that was my swimming career done, it was over,” said the Droitwich star.

“It’s insane how tough everything has been, but I hope I’ve proved to everyone that you don’t have to stop doing something you love because of something else.”

The latest from Tom Harle in Tokyo:

Rebecca Redfern ‘proud’ for baby son Patrick after claiming silver in Tokyo

Tokyo Paralympics: Medal table after day eight

Wednesday 1 September 2021 16:00 , Jamie Braidwood

ParalympicsGB added one gold medal and six medals overall on day eight in Tokyo, as the Russian Paralympic Committee moved up to second place in the table following a strong day in the pool.

David Smith’s gold in the individual BC1 boccia final takes ParalympicsGB up to 30 gold medals in Japan.

1) China: 68 gold, 43 silver, 36 bronze - 147 overall

2) ROC: 32 gold, 20 silver, 37 bronze - 89 overall

3) Great Britain: 30 gold, 24 silver, 32 bronze - 86 overall

4) United States of America: 25 gold, 27 silver, 20 bronze- 72 overall

5) Netherlands: 19 gold, 10 silver, 10 bronze - 39 overall

Tokyo Paralympics: GB learn wheelchair basketball semi-final opponent

Wednesday 1 September 2021 15:45 , Jamie Braidwood

ParalympicsGB will face Japan in the semi-finals of the men’s wheelchair basketball tournament after the hosts defeated Australia in the quarter-finals.

Japan finished second in Group A, defeating Canada (who Great Britain beat in their quarter-final) along the way.

Spain will take on the United States of America in the other semi-final with both matches taking place on Friday.

David Smith: Boccia’s Ronnie O’Sullivan savours more Paralympic glory

Wednesday 1 September 2021 15:30 , Jamie Braidwood

David Smith is remarkably candid about his sporting ability, which you can take as gold medal self-deprecation after claiming his third Paralympic title.

“I swim like a brick, I can’t run, I’d be rubbish at goalball, useless at sitting volleyball and my team-mates can tell you I’m absolutely crap at table tennis,” he said.

However, in boccia he happens to the greatest British player of all-time, becoming the first in history to defend a title in the BC1 classification, a fifth medal in four Games appearances.

Smith, with his trademark red and blue Mohican, is the dominant force in his sport, though he came through a tense final with Malaysia’s Chew Wei Fun to earn this gold.

So he is the Lionel Messi of boccia? “I think I’m more like Ronnie O’Sullivan or, perhaps, Ronaldo,” he jokes. “I like to be creative and I always want to put on a show. I like to play well but I also prefer to win.”

James Toney reports from Tokyo:

David Smith: Boccia’s Ronnie O’Sullivan savours more Paralympic glory

Tokyo Paralympics: Badminton makes it debut

Wednesday 1 September 2021 15:15 , Jamie Braidwood

Badminton made its first appearance at a Paralympic Games today and there was a British winner on the opening day of competition.

Daniel Bethell, the number two seed in the SL3 category, secured a comfortable 21-11 21-7 win over Japan’s Daisuke Fujihara.

Martin Rooke, Krysten Coombs and Jack Shephard all make their bows tomorrow for ParalympicsGB.

Tokyo Paralympics: Will Bayley thanks team-mate for semi-final win

Wednesday 1 September 2021 15:00 , Jamie Braidwood

ParalympicsGB table tennis star Will Bayley was thankful for his team-mate Paul Karabardak after the pair fought back to beat Spain and advance to Friday’s team final.

After losing the opening doubles match, Bayley levelled the scored with a straight-sets win before Karabardak completed the comeback with a hard-fought 3-2 win.

Bayley and Karabardak will face China in the gold medal match on Friday, having at least secured a silver medal.

Tokyo Paralympics: Great Britain battle through to wheelchair basketball semi-finals

Wednesday 1 September 2021 14:30 , Jamie Braidwood

ParalympicsGB wheelchair basketball player-coach Gaz Choudhry was relieved to see his side prevail in their “toughest game” as they fought back to defeat Canada and reach the semi-finals.

Great Britain trailed at half time and into the third quarter but produced a strong comeback to claim a 66-52 victory, fuelled by Choudhry’s 21 points.

“It was a do-or-die game, it is the toughest game to play but we knew it was a 40-minute game and we prepared, everyone performed amazingly and we came through,” he said.

“I don’t know what it is, we seem to play our best when we have our backs against the wall and I am not sure why.

“If I could bottle that up when we are down big, we would have it from the start but we knew it would be a grind, we knew they have Paralympic gold medallists on their team, we know they have the greatest player of all time on their team.

“The quarter-final is way tougher than a final because you know if you are out, you leave empty-handed.”

Tokyo Paralympics: Emotional David Smith celebrates boccia gold

Wednesday 1 September 2021 13:59 , Jamie Braidwood

Double Paralympic boccia champion David Smith dedicated the defence of his title to his late grandfather after beating Malaysia’s Chew Wei Lun 4-2 in the individual final.

Smith was 2-0 down after the opening end but fought back to seal his second gold medal in a row in the BC1 category and afterwards explained where his tears had come from when celebrating becoming Great Britain’s most successful boccia player of all time.

“My Grandad passed away when I was about 16 and he never got to see all the things I became afterwards, I just had a weird feeling when I came out on court that he was there somewhere, that’s what the tears were for,” Smith said.

“There are a lot of things going on in my head at the moment, becoming the first BC1 to defend a Paralympic title and becoming the most successful British player of all-time.

“You try not to think about it but it does matter, I do care about stuff like that. This is such a great sport and I just feel we are getting the recognition we deserve here, that makes me feel a bit emotional.

“The standard has been nuts, everyone has been locked indoors for the pandemic and they are coming out here and bashing it out the park.”

Tokyo Paralympics: GB’s Rebecca Redfern dedicates silver to young son

Wednesday 1 September 2021 13:20 , Jamie Braidwood

Rebecca Redfern said she was motivated by doing her one-year-old son proud as she claimed a silver medal in the women’s 100m breaststroke S13 final.

Redfern was beaten to the wall by Elena Krawzow after the German made a thrilling comeback on the final straight. The 21-year-old, who gave birth to son Patrick last year, was also a silver medallist in Rio five years ago.

“I’m overwhelmed, just really, really happy. I’m excited to go home and see my little boy, just really happy,” she said afterwards.

“I was so nervous that all of that anxious energy just came out in the first 50m. And bringing it home, my body felt like it was shutting off with 10 metres to go and I just tried to really push it.

“I couldn’t have done it without the support I’ve got at home. It’s insane how tough everything has been, but I hope I’ve proved to everyone that you don’t have to stop doing something you love because of something.

“It means so much more. The time away, it has been a long three weeks but I hope I’ve made him proud. He will be able to look back on all of this for so many years and tell all of his friends. I’m so proud to do this for him.”

Tokyo Paralympics: Samantha Kinghorn wins bronze in 100m T53 final

Wednesday 1 September 2021 12:49 , Jamie Braidwood

“I can’t believe it, to come fifth in Rio and now to win bronze...” Kinghorn tells Channel 4.

“But the thing is I’m still getting faster and I know one day that I will win gold and I will come first. It’s just learning.

“I think the hardest thing is looking up and not seeing my parents, because they’re the ones I want to see the most. But I’m so chuffed to win a medal.

“I know I’ve got more in me. I know I’ve got a sub-16 in me. I’m 25 years old and a lot of these girls are a lot older than me, a lot more experienced.

“Every year I’ll be stronger and in Paris I’ll hopefully be more mature and faster.”

Tokyo Paralympics: Samantha Kinghorn wins bronze in 100m T53 final!

Wednesday 1 September 2021 12:40 , Jamie Braidwood

It’s a first Paralympic medal for Samantha Kinghorn as the 25-year-old claims bronze in the final of the 100m T53.

The Scot finished behind the two Chinese medallists in world champion Fang Gao and Hongzhuan Zhou but was comfortable clear of the rest of the field and almost pipped Zhou to the line.

Kinghorn still has the 400m to contend for in Tokyo.

Tokyo Paralympics: Samantha Kinghorn goes for gold in 100m T53 final

Wednesday 1 September 2021 12:26 , Jamie Braidwood

Great Britain have medal interest coming up at the Olympic Stadium shortly, as Samantha Kinghorn competes in the final of the women’s 100m T53.

The 25-year-old Scot is aiming to win her first Paralympic medal after she finished fourth in the 800m earlier this week and came fifth in the 100m in Rio five years ago.

She is a world champion in the 100m and 200m, however, so could this be the moment she gets over the line in the Paralympic Games?

Tokyo Paralympics: GB defeat Spain to reach team table tennis final

Wednesday 1 September 2021 11:52 , Jamie Braidwood

Great Britain fought from one match down to beat Spain 2-1 in the men’s team table tennis semi-finals, with Will Bayley securing his second medal of the Paralympic Games.

After suffering defeat in the opening doubles match, both Bayley and team-mate Paul Karabardak had to win their singles matches against the Spanish pair to advance.

Singles runner-up Bayley secured a swift straight sets victory, leaving Karabardak needing to win to book Great Britain’s place in the final.

And the 35-year-old prevailed in five sets to defeat Spain’s Alvaro Velera, sealing the deciding set 11-9.

Great Britain will now face China in the gold medal match, where they are guaranteed silver at least.

Tokyo Paralympics: GB defeat Canada to advance to wheelchair basketball semi-finals

Wednesday 1 September 2021 11:43 , Jamie Braidwood

A brilliant second-half performance from Great Britain has secured a 66-52 victory over Canada and progress to the last four of the men’s wheelchair basketball tournament.

Player-coach Gaz Choudhry led the way with his leadership and was Great Britain’s top scorer with 21 points, including a clutch three-pointer in the fourth, but he was helped out by big second halves from Gregg Warburton and Lee Manning, who finished on 16 and 17 points respectively.

This is GB’s seventh consecutive semi-final appearance in the Paralympics and they will face either Australia or Japan in the semi-finals.

Tokyo Paralympics: GB vs Canada in men’s wheelchair basketball QF

Wednesday 1 September 2021 11:30 , Jamie Braidwood

After a strong third quarter, Great Britain have surged into the lead in their battle with Canada in the quarter-finals of the men’s wheelchair basketball tournament.

GB were down by as many as six points in the third quarter but have clawed their way back and now lead by six points with six minutes to go.

Choudhry has been helped by big second halves from Gregg Warburton and Lee Manning, with the team now in a commanding position heading into the closing stages.

Tokyo Paralympics: GB’s Rebecca Redfern wins silver in 100m breaststroke SB13!

Wednesday 1 September 2021 11:23 , Jamie Braidwood

Rebecca Redfern has won silver in the women’s 100m breaststroke SB13 final, matching her result from Rio five years ago.

The 21-year-old put in a brilliant effort and was leading down the stretch but was caught by Germany’s Elena Krawzow with metres to go.

Tokyo Paralympics: David Smith reacts after winning boccia gold

Wednesday 1 September 2021 11:01 , Jamie Braidwood

“My Twitter and Instagram have been buzzing like crazy,” David Smith tells Channel 4.

“We’ve had the live exposure this week [on TV] which has totally changed it. I think being able to see how it’s played, there have been some quality matches this week from players across the categories, and it just encourages people to take up the sport.

“We do sometimes struggle with participation and it would be good to get a few more players coming through. I hope this inspires people to give it a go.”

Tokyo Paralympics: GB vs Canada in men’s wheelchair basketball QF

Wednesday 1 September 2021 10:52 , Jamie Braidwood

It’s half time in the men’s wheelchair basketball quarter-finals and Great Britain are trailing Canada 26-30 at the halfway stage.

Gaz Choudhry has led the way for Great Britain with 12 points at 46 per cent shooting, while Canada’s Patrick Anderson has dominated on the inside on his way to racking up 14 points, as well as nine rebounds.

Tokyo Paralympics: GB suffer opening loss to Spain in table tennis semi-final

Wednesday 1 September 2021 10:31 , Jamie Braidwood

Great Britain’s pair of Will Bayley and Paul Karabardak have lost their opening match of the men’s team table tennis semi-finals against Spain.

Bayley and Karabardak lost an enthralling final set 17-15 to the Spanish pair, who claimed the opening match 3-2.

Bayley and Karabardak will now both have to win their singles matches if GB are to advance to the final.

Tokyo Paralympics: GB vs Canada in men’s wheelchair basketball QF

Wednesday 1 September 2021 10:23 , Jamie Braidwood

ParalympicsGB are underway against Canada in the quarter-finals of the men’s wheelchair basketball tournament.

Great Britain have been on an impressive run in the completion so far, finishing the group phase top of Group B after securing impressive victories over Australia and the United States.

Canada finished fourth in Group A but it’s been a close start to the contest, with GB holding a narrow 10-8 lead midway through the opening quarter.

Tokyo Paralympics: GB’s David Smith wins gold in boccia final

Wednesday 1 September 2021 09:59 , Jamie Braidwood

David Smith is now the most successful British boccia player of all time.

As well as his double gold medal success in the individual BC1, the 32-year-old is also a champion in the team event from Beijing 2008.

He also won silver and bronze medals in London 2012.

Tokyo Paralympics: GB’s David Smith wins gold in boccia final!

Wednesday 1 September 2021 09:45 , Jamie Braidwood

He’s done it! David Smith has become a double Paralympic champion!

The Briton made a brilliant start to the final end, getting two balls close to the jack, and Wei Lun was unable to respond.

The match was called midway through the fourth with Smith holding an unassailable 4-2 lead.

There are tears of joy for the 32-year-old as the achievement sinks in.

Tokyo Paralympics: GB’s David Smith goes for gold in boccia final

Wednesday 1 September 2021 09:41 , Jamie Braidwood

An excellent third end from David Smith has seen the defending champion pull level at 2-2 in the final.

Smith took on a number of bold shots but was rewarded as he prevented Wei Lun from scoring for the second end in a row.

It’s all square heading into the final end.

Tokyo Paralympics: GB’s David Smith goes for gold in boccia final

Wednesday 1 September 2021 09:26 , Jamie Braidwood

Smith does indeed get onto the scoreboard with a shot that sneaks around the back of the jack.

The Briton took the second end 1-0 and now trails 2-1 in the final at the halfway stage.

Tokyo Paralympics: GB’s David Smith goes for gold in boccia final

Wednesday 1 September 2021 09:24 , Jamie Braidwood

Wei Lun has taken a 2-0 lead over Smith after the first end of the men’s boccia BC1 final, and the Malaysian has the jack protected.

Smith will need to break Lun’s defence apart if he is to get onto the scoreboard.

Tokyo Paralympics: GB’s David Smith goes for gold in boccia final

Wednesday 1 September 2021 09:13 , Jamie Braidwood

The men’s boccia BC1 final is underway, and Malaysia’s Wei Lun has the slight advantage at this early stage, midway through the opening end.

Lun has a number of opportunities now to clear Smith’s balls and rack up a big opening score.

Tokyo Paralympics: GB’s David Smith goes for gold in boccia final

Wednesday 1 September 2021 08:52 , Jamie Braidwood

David Smith has the opportunity to win ParalympicsGB their first gold medal of the day in Tokyo when he takes on Malaysia’s Chew Wei Lun in the final of the men’s boccia BC1.

Smith is the defending Paralympic and world champion in the BC1 category. The 32-year-old gets underway in the gold medal match shortly.

Tokyo Paralympics: GB’s Reid, Hewett advance in wheelchair tennis singles

Wednesday 1 September 2021 08:42 , Jamie Braidwood

Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett have both advanced to the semi-finals of the men’s wheelchair tennis singles in Tokyo.

Defending champion Reid was taken to three sets by Argentina’s Gustavo Fernandez but prevailed 7-5 3-6 6-1.

Hewett, meanwhile, defeated France’s Nicolas Piefer 6-3 6-4 to advance to the last four, where he hopes to go one step better than his silver medal in Rio.

Both players are in the final of the men’s doubles event, where the pair are the number one seeds.

Malaysian shot putter disqualified after winning gold medal

Wednesday 1 September 2021 07:59 , Jack Rathborn

Malaysian shot putter Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli appeared to have won gold in the shot put in the F20 class. But after the victory on Tuesday, he was disqualified because he had shown up late for the competition.International Paralympic Committee spokesman Craig Spence said Zolkefli and two others — who did not reach the podium — were allowed to compete under protest after they failed to appear on time for the event.

“They were late, they may have had a logical reason for being late, and therefore we allowed them to compete and look at the facts of the matter afterward,” Spence said.

A statement from World Para Athletics, which governs track and field for Para sports, said a referee had determined after the event that “there was no justifiable reason for the athletes’ failure to report” on time. It said an appeal was also turned down.

The disqualification bumped Maksym Koval of Ukraine up to gold, and Ukraine teammate Oleksandr Yarovyi took silver. Bronze went to Efstratios Nikolaidis of Greece.

Spence said the disqualification was met with anger on social media. He described it as “very abusive.” Much of it targeted the Ukrainians.

“We are now seeing comments on all our social media posts that have nothing to do with the men’s shot put F20 event,” Spence said. He said the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee “was getting a lot of abuse from Malaysians. I’m sorry. Rules are rules,” Spence said. “The decision was taken. It wasn’t the Ukrainians fault that the Malaysian was late.”

Spence said the three had arrived three minutes late. He said he did not see this as a harsh penalty. “Others get there five minutes early,” he said.

Spence said an excuse given was that the Malaysian and the two others said they “didn’t hear the announcement or it was in a language” they did not understand.

Paralympics 2020 Day 8 still to come

Wednesday 1 September 2021 07:40 , Jack Rathborn

ParalympicsGB still has some key events to come on day eight, with the men’s wheelchair basketball team taking on Canada in the quarter-finals at 10:15am.

Paralympic gold is the title they want to compliment their European and world titles.

While swimmer Becky Redfern, just 14 months on from the birth of son Patrick, qualified second-fastest for SB13 100m breaststroke final at 11:09am.

Look out for Sammi Kinghorn too, the 2017 world champion is out for a medal in sight in the T53 100m at 12:37pm.

Paralympics 2020 Day 8 catch-up

Wednesday 1 September 2021 07:27 , Jack Rathborn

It's been a tremendous day for ParalympicsGB with Gordon Reid advancing to the final four in the wheelchair tennis after a hard-fought, three-set win over Argentina's Gustavo Fernandez.

Elsewhere, there was bronze for Victoria Rumary in the women's W1 event, while another bronze was added to the tally through Ross Wilson, Aaron McKibbin and Billy Shilton as the class 8 team in table tennis, falling to China in the semi-finals.

USA’s Oksana Masters wins H5 road race

Wednesday 1 September 2021 07:05 , Shweta Sharma

Oksana Masters has won second gold medal of Paralympics 2020. She earlier won her first medal in cycling.

This is USA cyclists’ 10th medal career Paralympics medal and fourth gold.

China won silver and bronze goes to Italy.

Para badminton to debut to debut today

Wednesday 1 September 2021 06:58 , Shweta Sharma

The long-wait is over. Para badminton will finally kick off today, making a debut at Tokyo 2020 at 10am BST.

It is one of the new sports to be launched at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games along after Para taekwondo.

Four match will take place today with two in mixed doubles SL3-SU5 and two women’s singles WH1.

Serbia win first medal with shooting

Wednesday 1 September 2021 06:30 , Shweta Sharma

Siberia’s Dragan Ristic has won the first medal for the country in R5 mixed 10m air rifle.

Vasyl Kovalchuk of Ukrain won silver while Slovenia’s Francek Tirsek took bronze.

USA win against Turkey in quarterfinal round in men’s wheelchair basketball

Wednesday 1 September 2021 06:24 , Shweta Sharma

USA have defeated Turkey by 52-45 in the men’s quarterfinal at Ariake Arena. The Turkish team took a lead in the first quarter round at 11-8 but USA picked up from the second to the last quarter to enter the semi finals.

Great Britain’s Gordon Reid wins quarter-final to take bronze

Wednesday 1 September 2021 05:55 , Shweta Sharma

On the tennis court, Gordon Reid has won against Gustavo Fernandez of Argentina. Great Britain’s Reif won 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 to finish the game.

Earlier, Japan’s number one Shingo Kunieda beat Frenchman Stephane Houdet by 7-6(7), 6-3 to secure a place in the men’s singles semi-finals.

Later, China will fight Korea to claim the title in gold medal match.

Netherlands take gold in women's road cycling

Wednesday 1 September 2021 05:41 , Shweta Sharma

In Fiji Speedway circuit, Jennette Jansen of Netherlands has won the road cycling race in women’s H1-4 class.

Germany’s Annika Zeyen won silver and USA’s Alicia Dana took bronze.

Slovakia take first gold medal in boccia

Wednesday 1 September 2021 04:57 , Shweta Sharma

Samuel Andrejcik has won gold medal for Slovakia in individual BC4.

Thailand’s Pornchok Larpyen took silver. Earlier today, Australia’s Daniel Michel took the bronze medal in the BC3 individual event of boccia.

“I’m excited with it. The first [boccia] medal for Australia in 25 years. First ever individual medal, so it’s a massive achievement,” Michel said. “I’m super happy to respond from the adversity yesterday with the tough game. To come through in that fashion was really important to me. I’m happy I was able to pull it out.”

China claimed gold after two world record-breaking long jumps

Wednesday 1 September 2021 04:50 , Shweta Sharma

If you missed, China’s Zhu Dening took gold in men’s T38 long jump after two world record breaking long jumps, as world records continue to fall on day eight.

His gold medal winning jump was recorded 7.31m, longer than compatriot Huanghao Zhong, who took silver. Jose Gregorio Lemos Rivas of Columbia took bronze.

“I was thinking of my country when standing on the podium because without China’s influence I wouldn’t have been standing there at all,” Dening said after her gold medal victory.

GB’s Victoria Rumary beat USA’s Lia Coryell to claim bronze

Wednesday 1 September 2021 04:38 , Shweta Sharma

Great Britain’s Victoria Rumary has beat Lia Coryell to win the bronze medal match of archery in in W1.

She won by 131 points ahead of Coryell’s 123.

Netherlands’ Mitch Valize wins gold in cycling

Wednesday 1 September 2021 04:22 , Shweta Sharma

Mitch Valize overtook France’s Loic Vergnaud in final seconds of the men’s H5 road race to win the thrilling race.

This is Valize’s second second gold medal in two days as he continues in great form.

Vergnaud tool silver and Netherland’s Tim de Vries claimed bronze.

Day eight gets underway in pool

Wednesday 1 September 2021 03:00 , Graeme Massie

Talisson Henrique Glock of Team Brazil competes in the Men's 100m Freestyle - S6 Heat 1 on day right of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

Team GB’s aim for gold in wheelchair tennis men’s double final

Wednesday 1 September 2021 02:30 , Graeme Massie

It will be a repeat of the RIO 2016 final with Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid face the defending champions from France, Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer.

Both teams enjoyed straight sets victories on Day 7 to set up the final.

American Paralympic great Jessica Long back in the pool

Wednesday 1 September 2021 01:51 , Graeme Massie

The swimming star took part in the Women's 100m Breaststroke B7 Heat 1 on day 8 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

Long is looking to add to her career total of 26 Paralympic medals, 14 of which are gold.

Oksana Mater’s tears at first cycling gold

Wednesday 1 September 2021 01:45 , Graeme Massie

The Team USA cyclist let the tears flow as she listened to the national anthem after her win in the cycling time trial H4-5.

On day eight she will go for her second gold in two days as she competes in the road race.

Gold medal high jumper tweets letter given to him before win

Wednesday 1 September 2021 01:09 , Graeme Massie

Sam Grewe wrote that a Japanese man handed him the letter, in which he explained that the Team USA star was an inspiration to his own family, as his son had had the same operation as the athlete.

“A local Japanese man just handed me this note shortly after I arrived at the track to compete. Win or lose, this is what it’s all about. This makes it all worth it,” Grewe tweeted.

Full Paralympics schedule

Tuesday 31 August 2021 19:00 , Alex Pattle

As we enter the second week of the Tokyo Games, here’s a look at the remaining schedule for the Paralympics:

Tokyo Paralympics schedule: Day-by-day events, dates, times and venues

Dunn defies expectations in Paralympics gold rush

Tuesday 31 August 2021 18:20 , Alex Pattle

One too many Chinese takeaways nearly scuppered Reece Dunn’s Paralympic dream.

In early 2021 he was lying in bed until midday – eight hours before swimmers normally stir – and putting on lockdown pounds with no racing in sight.

“When I’m not competing, I’ve got nothing to train for so mentally I can’t be bothered,” said the Plymouth star.

“I’m up at five most mornings, I’m a morning person even on my days off, but I couldn’t get out of bed. My mental health wasn’t all there.

“I love a good Chinese and I was a sucker for that.”

More from the GB swimmer following his third gold medal of the Tokyo Games:

Reece Dunn defies expectations in gold rush thanks to ‘toughest training ever’

How much do athletes earn for winning gold, silver and bronze?

Tuesday 31 August 2021 17:40 , Alex Pattle

It is the pinnacle of any Paralympic athlete’s career. Winning a gold, silver or bronze medal is the reward for years of sacrifice and gruelling training sessions hidden from the public gaze.

And now for the first time Team USA athletes at this year’s Paralympic Games will earn an equal payout for winning medals in Tokyo.

For Paralympians are now being paid the same amount of money for winning medals as Olympic athletes, after the passing of a new rule in September 2018.

It is the first time that the equal payments will be in place for the games, although the rule was applied retroactively to the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

Here’s what each Paralympic athlete earns for winning a medal in Tokyo:

How much do Paralympic athletes win for gold, silver and bronze medals?

Weir sounds warning over future of wheelchair racing

Tuesday 31 August 2021 17:00 , James Toney

David Weir wants more depth in Paralympic wheelchair racing, claiming the sport is in danger of stagnating.

The six-time Paralympic champion made his Games debut as a teenager in Atlanta and brought the curtain down on his track career with a last place finish in a dramatic T54 1,500m final, which saw the top six all dip under the world record time.

However, Weir – who competes in this weekend’s marathon and plans to continue racing on the road – is not sure he’ll leave the sport in a better shape than he found it.

I think the International Paralympic Committee needs to step their game up a little bit,” he said. “I just feel some things need to change.

“I just don’t see them moving forward or it’s not moving forward quickly enough. I just feel like they need to get more athletes on board, they are setting their standards so ridiculously high that their athletes can’t qualify.”

More here:

David Weir sounds warning over future of Paralympic wheelchair racing

All eyes on Afghanistan’s Hossain Rasouli

Tuesday 31 August 2021 16:35 , Tom Harle

American Dallas Wise didn’t want to approach Afghan Hossain Rasouli, who escaped the fall of Kabul to compete at the Paralympics.

“Honestly, we don’t really know the guy so we’re not going to talk to him,” said the long jumper. “I’m not sure if he can understand me. With a lot of countries here, I try to talk to him but sometimes they don’t really understand English.”

Rasouli greeted the Olympic Stadium with a smile and a wave, to the sound of total silence apart from the clicking of the shutters of every photographer who could gain entry.

His big moment came as the Taliban let off fireworks to celebrate their return to Kabul, with the last American plane having departed and their 20-year military presence now at an end.

The 26-year-old finished 13th and last in the T54 long jump, registering legal jumps of 4.37m, 4.21 and then 4.46 in the third round.

Here is one of the biggest stories from the Tokyo Paralympics:

Hossain Rasouli draws eyes of the world after escaping Afghanistan

Isolation adds new hurdle as Reid chases gold double in tennis

Tuesday 31 August 2021 16:25 , James Toney

When it comes to setting an example in these uncertain times then tennis certainly has work to do.

From Novak Djokovic’s spell as superspreader-event host to vaccine rates on the WTA and ATP Tour that currently stubbornly stand at less than 50 percent, player after player, from Stefanos Tsitsipas to Aryna Sabalenka, doing their best not to lead by example.

Just imagine the moaning if they were trying to win gold in Tokyo from isolation?

And yet that’s just the challenge facing Great Britain’s Gordon Reid, a burden he is taking on without complaint and winning match after match in the process. As preparations go for a double gold medal bid it couldn’t be further removed from the high-performance world of marginal gains.

Full article here:

Isolation a new hurdle as Gordon Reid chases Paralympics tennis gold double

Organisers under fire for discarding £33,000 in medical supplies

Tuesday 31 August 2021 16:09 , Kiyoshi Takenaka

Organisers of the Tokyo Olympics discarded 5 million yen ($45,508 / £33,067) worth of surgical masks, gowns, and disinfectant after the Games, held practically with no fans amid the pandemic, with much of that medical equipment left unused, media said on Tuesday.

The Asahi daily quoted an organising committee official as saying 33,000 masks, 3,420 gowns and 380 bottles of disinfectant were discarded when they closed down operations at some of the venues used for the Olympics, which ran from 23 July to 8 August.

The revelation was embarrassing for organisers as they have long pitched Tokyo 2020 as a sustainable Games. They came under fire last month for ordering too much food for their staff during the opening ceremony, leading to a massive waste of food.

More here:

Tokyo organisers under fire for discarding £33,000 worth of medical supplies

Medal table: Who’s winning the Paralympics so far?

Tuesday 31 August 2021 15:55 , Alex Pattle

Five years ago in Rio, it was China who topped the Paralympics medals table, with Great Britain in second after claiming 64 golds and 147 medals in total.

The same two nations have risen to the top of the medals table this year, with China’s 62 golds so far putting them well clear of Great Britain, on 29.

The Russian Paralympic Committee is third on 25, while the United States and Ukraine make up the top five.

Here’s a look at the standings after one week of Paralympic action in Japan:

Paralympics medal table: Who’s winning Tokyo 2021 so far?

Sweet 16th for Sarah Storey

Tuesday 31 August 2021 15:17 , Charlie Bennett

It’s not often Sarah Storey stands still as she powers ahead in the pursuit of greatness.

But after equalling Mike Kenny’s British record with a sweet 16th Paralympics gold medal, the 43-year-old needed a moment to absorb an achievement she described as beyond her wildest dreams.

Just as night follows day, one gold medal follows another for Storey, who secured her second in Tokyo with another flawless and dominant performance in the wee hours of Tuesday morning at the same Fuji F1 circuit where James Hunt won the 1976 World Championship.

Hunt’s rivalry with Niki Lauda was turned into a Hollywood film, a story of bitter rivals fighting it out for F1’s greatest prize. But with Storey the outcome is never in doubt, on two wheels she has no equal.

The mum-of-two crushed the field in the time trial and won by almost 92 seconds from teammate Crystal Lane-Wright in a repeat of the British 1-2 from the 3,000m individual pursuit in the velodrome last week.

Full report from Tokyo here:

Sarah Storey makes more Paralympic history with sweet 16th gold medal

Maddie Thompson: ‘It’s not our time'

Tuesday 31 August 2021 13:13 , Lawrence Ostlere

A powerful interview by British wheelchair basketball co-captain Maddie Thompson after quarter-final defeat by China.

“I think the word right now is devastated, to come into the Paralympics second in world and not make it through the quarter-finals hurts. The Chinese outplayed us, they shot incredible shots.

“I had a dream about putting my medal round my son’s neck but my mum said the most important thing I can put around his neck is my arms.

“You can’t ever take for granted we are playing a beautiful sport in a fantastic stadium. No one wants a Paralympics with no audiences. This hasn’t been it for us, it’s not our time and that really really hurts.”

Summary today

Tuesday 31 August 2021 12:24 , Lawrence Ostlere

Key stories so far today:

British swimmer Reece Dunn grabbed his third Paralympic gold of the Tokyo Games by breaking the world record in the S14 men’s 200m individual medley.

The 25-year-old touched the wall in 2:08.02, shaving 0.14 seconds off the previous global best.

Plymouth Leander member Dunn had already won gold in 200m freestyle and mixed 4x100m freestyle, in addition to 100m butterfly silver.

On another busy evening at Tokyo Aquatics Centre, there were four further medals for ParalympicsGB.

Bethany Firth gained silver in the SM14 200m individual medley in 2:23.19, with team-mate Louise Fiddes completing the podium, 8.22secs behind.

Stephen Clegg won the men’s S12 100m freestyle bronze in 53.43, while Hannah Russell emulated that achievement in the women’s race in a time of 1:00.25.

At the Olympic Stadium, British runner Columba Blango and long jumper Olivia Breen each won bronze.

Londoner Blango, appearing at his first Paralympics, ran a personal best of 47.81secs, to finish third in the T20 400m

The 29-year-old crossed the line 0.18secs behind French gold medallist Charles-Antoine Kouakou, with Venezuela’s Luis Felipe Rodriguez Bolivar clinching silver.

Breen’s best jump in the T38 classification was 4.91m, while her fellow Briton Hetty Bartlett was sixth with a leap of 4.05m.

Veteran table tennis player Sue Bailey guaranteed her first Paralympic medal at the sixth Games of her career by reaching the semi-finals of the women’s team classes 4-5 competition alongside Megan Shackleton.

Two-time Commonwealth champion Bailey - a 48-year-old teacher from Barnsley - and 22-year debutant Shackleton defeated Jordanian pair Khetam Abuawad and Faten Elelimat 2-1 in the last eight.

The GB duo will play China on Wednesday for a place in the gold medal match, with bronze already assured for both teams.

Elsewhere, Great Britain exited the women’s wheelchair basketball at the quarter-final stage following a 47-33 loss to China.

Britain defeat in women’s basketball

Tuesday 31 August 2021 11:58 , Lawrence Ostlere

Britain’s women’s basketball team have lost 47-33 to China in the quarter-finals. The GB team came on strong in the latter stages but it was too little too late after a sluggish start.

Shaw ‘happy’ with fourth

Tuesday 31 August 2021 11:52 , Lawrence Ostlere

Here’s Toni Shaw after that race:

“Nobody likes to come fourth but it’s such a competitive race, there were loads of heats in the morning to make it through, so to get to the final and come fourth, I’m happy. I have been mostly training for the 400m so I knew it was going to be hard to come down to a sprint event.”

Sophie Pascoe wins 100m freestyle gold

Tuesday 31 August 2021 11:22 , Lawrence Ostlere

Britain’s 18-year-old Toni Shaw just misses out on a Paralympic medal in the S9 100m freestyle final, finishing fourth three tenths from bronze after a strong finish. New Zealand’s Sophie Pascoe clinches gold and weeps as the result is displayed on the giant screen – it is her 10th Para gold medal across four Games now, an incredible achievement. As a child Pascoe was accidentally run over by her father while on his lawnmower, which meant her left leg was amputated below the knee. She already had bronze and silver medals in Tokyo but now she finally has another gold for her collection.

Paralympics codes and categories

Tuesday 31 August 2021 11:18 , Lawrence Ostlere

The women’s S9 100m freestyle final is going next in the pool. Here are the the codes explained:

What do the swimming S codes mean at the Tokyo Paralympics?

Jonnie Peakcock proud to be part of thriller

Tuesday 31 August 2021 10:55 , Lawrence Ostlere

Sprint star Jonnie Peacock declared his exhilarating 100m final a perfect advert for Paralympic sport as he claimed “Long John Silver” was the only one-legged role model during his childhood.

The British amputee’s quest for a glorious hat-trick of Paralympic titles dramatically ended in joint bronze in Tokyo after the first four athletes remarkably crossed the finish line within 0.04 of a second.

Gold went to Germany’s Felix Streng in a time of 10.76 seconds and silver to Costa Rican Sherman Isidro Guity Guity, while Peacock and Johannes Floors endured a agonising wait of more than three minutes before being confirmed as joint occupiers of the final T64 podium position.

Cambridge-born Peacock, who won gold in the T44 class in London and Rio, proclaimed himself “proud” to be a part of a spellbinding evening in Japan, while his reference to the main antagonist of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island highlighted the progress being made in the disability movement.

“If that’s not an advert for Paralympic sport in 11 seconds I don’t know what is,” said the 28-year-old, who posted a season’s best of 10.79 secs.

“It’s a shame that the stadium wasn’t full today because the noise would have been incredible.

“The Paralympics has the ability to change things: 15 per cent of the world is made up of disabled people and we need to be represented. I’m so proud to be a part of it.”

More reaction from the pool

Tuesday 31 August 2021 10:25 , Lawrence Ostlere

Bethany Firth, on S12 medley silver: “To come out with silver and see Louise get bronze, it’s been a great night. I miss my family so much, they’re always there supporting me, I wish they could be here and I can’t wait to go home to give them a hug.”

Louise Fiddes, on winning bronze having been disqualified from the heats: “I totally counted myself out. But British Swimming put in an appeal and I got to swim in the final, which was absolutely incredible and I can’t believe I get to take a medal home to family.”

Reece Dunn on his world record to win medley gold: “I had no idea where I was, I had to max every single leg, my breaststroke felt as good as it has felt in a long time but I was in agony that last 50 metres. Breaststroke is difficult for me with the shoulder I’ve got at moment, it’s under a lot of fatigue, every length my arm felt like it was going to crumble.”

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