Alexa Leary storms to solo gold, archer causes a stir with colourful antics: What you missed of Paralympics while sleeping
PARIS: Alexa Leary heroics, an Australian's incredible 44-year first, a father's emotion-charged TV interview and an archer's colourful antics defined day seven of the Paralympic Games.
Here's what you missed while you were sleeping.
Three years after hellish bike crash, 'Lex' wins solo Paralympic gold
Three years ago, Alexa Leary had an horrific bike accident that shattered her skull, left her unable to walk or talk, and resulted in her parents saying goodbye to her on eight occasions.
In Paris on Thursday morning (AEST), the 23-year-old became an individual Paralympic gold medallist.
She won the final of the women's 100m freestyle S9 and broke her own world record, tearing through the two-lap event in 59.53 seconds.
"It's been a long, rough journey for me," Leary said at the Paris La Defense Arena.
"It's a miracle that I'm living, and I'm walking and I'm talking. I was told that I never would three years ago, and I've just come so far.
"I am so impressed with myself. I'm like, 'Lex, look how far you've actually come'."
Champion's amazing 44-year first in epic Aussie medal rush
Australia's magnificent Paralympic cycling team enjoyed a medal rush at the beginning of the day, raking in four medals within about two hours.
The fourth of those medals was won by Lauren Parker, who became the first Australian Paralympian in 44 years to win a medal in two different sports at a single Games.
Parker picked up silver in the women's H1-3 individual time trial with a time of 24:24.09, which followed the triathlon gold she had won two days earlier.
Alana Forster, Meg Lemon and Darren Hicks also won medals on the streets of Paris.
Lauren Parker en route to winning road cycling silver. Michael Steele/Getty Images
Aussie table tennis extraordinaire claims second Paris gold medal
Australian table tennis extraordinaire Qian Yang won her second gold medal of the Games.
The Chinese-born Yang defeated Poland's Natalia Partyka 3-0, winning the sets 11-6, 11-9, 12-10.
She won her third Paralympic gold medal and successfully defended the gold she took out at Tokyo 2020.
Earlier in the Games, Yang and another Chinese-born Australian, Li Na Lei, combined to win the women's doubles WD20.
Watch every moment, every medal of the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 live and free on Channel 9, 9Gem and 9Now. Plus, every event streaming ad free, live and on demand with 4K on Stan Sport.
Dad of Aussie swimming medallist fires pointed message
Australian swimming rising star Ricky Betar won bronze and an emotion-charged TV interview with his family followed.
The 20-year-old finished third in the men's 200m individual medley SM14, winning his first Paralympic medal at his second Games.
In an interview with Nine's Todd Woodbridge in the stands, tears flowed and his dad delivered a fiery message.
"So many people said, 'He's got a disability, he shouldn't be doing it [swimming], he should be doing this, he should be doing that'," said Betar's dad.
"We copped a lot of shit in his younger years.
"To see him here now winning medal — stuff youse all, on ya Ricky!"
Betar was born in Japan but he and his family live in the Queensland town of Burpengary.
He has an intellectual impairment.
Aussie archer's colourful antics cause a stir
Australian archer Taymon Kenton-Smith went on an impressive run to the bronze medal match of the men's individual recurve open competition — and was at his most eye-catching on the way.
Shooting arrows with his hair dyed green and gold, the 29-year-old played to the crowd in each of the five matches he contested, pulling off eccentric celebrations and rocking out to AC/DC and Kylie Minogue.
One commentator on the world feed took exception to his antics, but Australian wheelchair racing legend Dylan Alcott defended him on the Nine broadcast.
Kenton-Smith eliminated the world No.1, Mexico's Samuel Molina, to advance to a quarter-final clash.
A four-match winning streak ended at the hands of Iran's Mohammad Reza Arab Ameri in the bronze medal match, resulting in him finishing fourth.
Kenton-Smith has a limb deficiency in his right hand.
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