Paralympics LIVE: Great Britain’s Van Gass, Jordan and Kearney win gold medals in the pool and velodrome

Taekwondo hopeful Beth Munro has been beaten 10-2 by Denmark’s Lisa Gjessing in the K44 -65kg repechage meaning she is out of the paralympics and will not win a medal.

It ends a disappointing Games for the Tokyo silver medallist.

Jaco van Gass spoke in the mixed zone after winning the men’s C3 3000m individual pursuit and explained that he got hit by a car last week.

He said: “I had a little accident last Friday, we did a recce of the road course last week, a car pulled out in front of me and I went over the bonnet.

“We went through significant concussion protocols, I took a day off to let my body settle, then I was back on the bike.

“I was heartbroken, I literally thought this could be my Paralympics done. Other people saw me, they helped calm me down. The next day is always the hardest as the body settles down, the Saturday was very hard to kind of comprehend – would I be riding?

“By Sunday I was riding on the track again.”

Tully Kearney is racing for the gold medal in the women’s S5 100m freestyle as she looks to defend her Paralympic crown. The Brit has already won a gold by triumphing in the women’s S5 200m freestyle on Thursday.

As the bell goes to start the race Kearney gets away from the blocks well enough but she’s second heading towards the halfway mark.

The Brit grows in confidence though and increases the speed. She flies through the final 50m and finishes in a time of 1:15.10 just ahead of close rival Iryna Poida of Ukraine.

Another gold for ParalympicsGB!

Blaine Hunt started the medal rush with a silver in the men’s C4-5 1000m time trial at the velodrome before Matt Robertson won bronze in the men’s C2 3000m individual pursuit.

Jaco van Gass then defeated GB teammate Finlay Graham in the C3 3000m individual pursuit to claim ParalympicsGB’s first gold medal of the day with Graham also adding a silver.

Elizabeth Jordon and pilot Dannielle Khan were also victorious as they won Britain’s fourth gold of the Games win the women’s B 1000m time trial while Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl also won bronz.e

Elsewhere, Zachary Shaw qualified for the final of the men’s T12 100m, while team-mate Eden Rainbow-Cooper also progressed in the women’s T54 5000m.

Tokyo champions Tully Kearney and Maisie Summers-Newton comfortably won their respective para swimming heats in the S5 100m freestyle and SM6 200m individual medley. They return to the pool this evening for the medal events.

As will twins Scarlett and Eliza Humphrey in the S11 400m freestyle.

He said: “It’s that’s very reason why I continued to carry on. The game plan was always to become a Paralympian, let alone a medallist.

“I stood on top of the podium looking into the stands in Tokyo and there was no-one.

“I knew from that second on, I would have to try again knowing that Paris was next, knowing that we’ll have those friends and family here. I had lots of adventures along the way but I kept with the bike.”

He said: “It’s a carbon copy to Tokyo. I go out, break a world record and I get about five minutes, I’ve barely got off the bike before Jaco’s taken it off me.

“Coming into it Jaco’s the one to beat. He’s the reigning world champion and he was the Paralympic champion in Tokyo. He’s able to peak at the right time. In this event there’s no hiding – strongest man on the day wins and today, that is Jaco.”

Lizzi Jordan and her pilot Danni Khan start slower than the Australia duo.

As the race goes on they speed up and cut the deficit, on the final straight the pace goes even quicker and they finish half a second faster that the Aussies!

It’s another gold on the track for Great Britain.

Lizzi Jordan and Danni Khan absolutely smashed that ride. Jordan is now the paralympic champion!

More chances for a gold medal for Great Britain.

In the women’s B 1000m time trial Brit’s Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl have secured themselves a medal but don’t know the colour yet.

Australian pari Jessica Gallagher and pilot Caitlin Ward currently sit in first place with only Lizzi Jordan and Danni Khan (both part of ParalympicsGB) left to ride.

Can they beat the Aussies into the gold medal position?

“I’m overwhelmed, delighted and just generally glad it’s over to be very honest. It’s been a rollercoaster to this moment.

“I rode a average qualifier. I know I did well time-wise but in terms of how I execute the ride was not perfect.

“I knew I had something to work on for the final, it was just whether the legs would be there or not. It paid off and I’m just elated to be here.”

Paralympic cyclist Daphne Schrager described the “surreal” moment she hugged actor Jackie Chan after he presented her silver medal, saying she will celebrate her performance with coffee and a croissant.

Schrager secured Britain’s maiden podium place in France by clinching silver in the women’s C1-3 3000m individual pursuit on Thursday, finishing second to China’s Xiaomei Wang in the final.

Schrager, 23, who grew up on a farm in Wiltshire, said she “gave everything” in the final and was “immensely proud” of her performance, adding that coming second gives her the “fire” to win in the next Games.