Key events
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Set your alarms (8.30pm) for this one later: GB v USA in the final of the men’s wheelchair basketball.
Ade Adepitan has been writing for the Guardian throughout the Games and let’s just say he’s pretty pumped for this one. Some great overall perspective too on the wider meaning of the Paralympics.
My three-year-old son has come to these Games and it gives me extra pride to know that his first experience of a major global sporting event is the Paralympics. He’s learned the word Paralympian before the word Olympian and he sees no difference between the greatness of the athletes in both Games. This is where we need to be at. Now, just bring home that basketball gold.
The ParalympicsGB medal count has risen from 101 overnight to 107 this morning. We’ve brought you the three golds (Fin Graham, Emma Wiggs and Charlotte Henshaw) and two silvers (Dave Phillipson and Hope Gordon) but there’s also been a bronze in the equestrian. Hats off to Sophie Wells.
Charlotte Henshaw and Hope Gordon reflect on their 1-2 in the water. “I’m so pleased for us both to be on the podium,” says Henshaw. “To share this moment together is unbelievable.”
A very tearful Gordon is struggling to get her words out. “We wanted those top two spots so badly. I think we’re so strong because of the support we get on and off the water.”
Both are racing again tomorrow so celebrations will be put on hold for now.
Henshaw leads 1-2 in VL3 va’a
Gold No. 45 followed soon after as Charlotte Henshaw produced a fast start and led all the way to win the women’s VL3 va’a.
The 37-year-old, who claimed the KL2 kayak title in Tokyo, won in 55.7 seconds, with compatriot Hope Gordon taking silver, 0.88 seconds behind. And it didn’t end there for GB at Vaires-sur-Marne Stadium this morning as Dave Phillipson delivered silver in the men’s KL2 kayak, clocking 42.43 seconds.
Wiggs retains women’s VL2 va’a crown
And gold medal 44 for Paralympics GB came as canoeist Emma Wiggs followed up the cycling success by retaining the women’s VL2 va’a title to win her third Paralympic gold.
The 44-year-old finished the 200-metre course in 58.88 seconds, while Jeanette Chippington – the oldest member of GB’s squad at 54 – was fourth.
Graham takes cycling gold in C1-3 road race
You look away for a short while and Paralympics have increased their gold haul from 42 to 45!
Let’s start with cycling where Fin Graham sprinted to victory in the men’s C1-3 road race earlier this morning. Here’s the report of a dramatic finish in Clichy-sous-Bois as the Brit claimed gold by a whisker from France’s Thomas Peyroton-Dartet.
Preamble
It’s been a gold-laden Games for ParalympicsGB and as we come to the final weekend in Paris, the medal table makes remarkable reading. The 100-medal barrier has been smashed and GB’s haul of 42 golds is now one more than the team managed in Tokyo last time.
And let’s hope it doesn’t stop there. More medals are up for grabs today, including Alfie Hewett in the men’s wheelchair singles final. After his gold alongside Gordon Reid in the doubles yesterday, this could quite the two days for Hewett, who had previously never sampled Paralympics gold despite a string of grand slam titles.
Another opportunity presents itself tonight in the must-watch wheelchair basketball between GB and the United States while on the track Hannah Cockroft will be favourite for the T34 800m final.
And, turning to the present, there’s plenty of action to get stuck into right now of course. Allons-y!
