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Australia’s Para-table tennis program enjoyed its most successful ever day on Monday, claiming a remarkable two gold medals – as many as Australia had won in total in the 61 years since the first Paralympic Games, in Rome in 1960.
Proud new Australians Li Na Lei and Qian Yang, who each moved from China after Rio 2016, won the Women’s Singles class 9 and class 10, respectively. It was the first time in 37 years Australia had won a gold medal in the sport and added to the silver medals won by Ma Lin on Saturday and Sam von Einem on Sunday.
Lei and Yang were both formidable on court. They will back up in the teams event, where Australia has the potential to win an additional three medals.
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It was another successful night in the swimming pool as the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay (34 point) team of Rowan Crothers, Will Martin, Matt Levy and Ben Popham, smashed the world record to claim gold in 3:44.31, while in his first event of the meet, Tim Hodge snatched a bronze medal in the highly competitive Men’s 100m Backstroke (S9).
The night also saw the Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay (34 point) team collect their silver medals after their ceremony was postponed the previous day due to a protest and appeals process. Ellie Cole, Isabella Vincent, Emily Beecroft and Ashleigh McConnell all proudly held their medals as the Australian flag was raised above the dais.
In Para-athletics, wheelchair racer Rheed McCracken and javelin thrower Michal Burian each won silver medals on Monday, taking Australia’s overall tally at the track to nine.
Dan Michel and assistant Ash McClure are through to the quarter finals of the boccia, despite a loss on Monday in his final round game.
At the Para-equestrian, Emma Booth and her horse Zidane entered the arena for the last time, performing their final dance in the Grade III Freestyle Test.
Zidane, who partnered with Booth at the 2016 Rio Games, made history as the only horse to compete at two Paralympic Games.
The dynamic duo, who have shared an incredible career, together put in a solid performance to capture a score of 73.807% to place 5th in the event.
On the first day of Para-shooting, Natalie Smith missed the opportunity to qualify for the final of the R2 10m Rifle Standing event. But the veteran shooter is determined to bounce back strongly to make the final cut in the R3 Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone on Wednesday.
In wheelchair basketball, the Australian Rollers surrendered a 20 point lead to fall 70-69 to World Champions Great Britain in their final pool match. It didn’t mean much in the big picture, however, as the Australians had already secured their spot in the quarter finals. They will play Japan on Wednesday at Ariake Arena.
Wheelchair tennis star Dylan Alcott breezed past veteran American Bryan Barten 6-1, 6-0 in the quad singles. However, Heath Davidson was outclassed by world No. 2 Sam Schroder of the Netherlands 6-2, 6-1.
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By: Paralympics Australia
Posted: 31 August 2021
