Brazil win first Para-athletics gold on day two in Paris

Brazil’s Julio Agripino dos Santos made a stunning start in the Para-athletics events at the Paris Paralympic Games, clinching gold and setting a new world record in the men’s T11 5,000m. The 33-year-old crossed the finish line in 14 minutes 48.85 seconds, smashing the previous record by five seconds. The crowd at the Stade de France erupted in cheers as Agripino dos Santos secured Brazil’s first athletics gold of the Games.

ParalympicsGB’s Zachary Shaw also impressed, securing a spot in the men’s T12 100m final after a dramatic photo finish in his heat. Shaw, who finished just 0.01 seconds ahead of Brazil’s Kesley Teodoro, will aim to improve upon his bronze medal from this year’s world championships in Saturday’s final. Meanwhile, GB’s Eden Rainbow-Cooper advanced to the final in the women’s T54 5,000m in her Paralympic debut.

Friday promises to be a medal-rich day, with 42 golds up for grabs. British Paralympic champions Tully Kearney and Maisie Summers-Newton are strong contenders to retain their titles after dominating their respective heats. Kearney, who won gold in the S5 200m freestyle on Thursday, posted the fastest time in the S5 100m freestyle heats, while Summers-Newton led the field in the SM6 200m individual medley.

British twins Scarlett and Eliza Humphrey are also in contention for gold in the S11 400m freestyle, with Eliza looking to improve on her European bronze medal.

In rowing, GB’s Benjamin Pritchard set a Paralympic Games best time in the PR1 men’s single sculls heats, setting him up for the finals. In the velodrome, veteran Jody Cundy advanced to the men’s C4-5 1,000m time trial final, aiming for another Paralympic medal in his eighth Games.

Elsewhere, US Para-swimmer Christie Raleigh-Crossley, who won silver in the women’s S9 50m freestyle, revealed she has been targeted by online bullying regarding her classification as a disabled athlete, including comments from a fellow Team USA member.

The day’s events also saw GB’s wheelchair rugby team continue their winning streak as they prepared to face Denmark, while Dan Bethell advanced in Para-badminton, and British athletes competed in taekwondo, boccia, and archery.