Andy Lewis won Great Britain’s first ever Paralympic triathlon medal as the sport made its debut on Copacabana beach in Rio. Lewis won PT2 category gold with a stunning performance, coming from behind to run through the field to win.
Lewis, 33 from Lydney, Gloucestershire got reward for two years away from his young family training full-time at Loughborough University. He said: “I can’t believe that has happened. I’m just in shock, I’m Paralympic, world and European champion and perhaps I’ll have my first beer in two years now!”
2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games RESULTS:
Men's PT1
| 1. | Jetze Plat | NED | 00:59:31 |
| 2. | Geert Schipper | NED | 01:01:30 |
| 3. | Giovanni Achenza | ITA | 01:01:45 |
| 6. | Joe Townsend | GBR | 01:04:43 |
| 8. | Phil Hogg | GBR | 01:08:20 |
Men's PT2
| 1. | Andrew Lewis | GBR | 01:11:49 |
| 2. | Michele Ferrarin | ITA | 01:12:30 |
| 3. | Mohamed Lahna | MAR | 01:12:35 |
| 6. | Ryan Taylor | GBR | 01:14:20 |
Men's PT4
| 1. | Martin Schulz | GER | 01:02:37 |
| 2. | Stefan Daniel | CAN | 01:03:05 |
| 3. | Jairo Ruiz Lopez | ESP | 01:03:14 |
| 7. | George Peasgood | GBR | 01:06:08 |
| 10. | David Hill | GBR | 01:08:38 |
For full results, please visit here
He added: “When I came across that finish line, I held the tape in the air and wondered whether it was all real. Para-triathlon is a great addition to the Paralympics and it brings tears to my eyes that I’ll be able to tell my kids that I won this gold medal.”
In the same category, Ryan Taylor, 23 from Derby, finished sixth. He said: “It was a great race.”
Men's PT4
George Peasgood, 20, made an impressive start to his Paralympic career. The youngest member of the team already has his eyes on Tokyo and beyond having built a big lead on the swim and bike before being overhauled on the run in the PT4 category.
He said: “I had more of a lead after the swim than I expected, I really nailed it. I tried to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy it. I knew the run would be tough but I did all I could and I’m really happy with the result.”
David Hill finished behind Peasgood in tenth. This is his second Paralympic Games, having represented the ParalympicsGB swimming team in Athens in 2004. The PT4 title was won by Martin Schulz of Germany.
Men's PT1
Afganistan veteran Joe Townsend put everything into his sixth place finish in a very competitive PT1 event. He collapsed out of his racing chair at the finish, having given everything in pursuit of a truly excellent result. Derby’s Phil Hogg was eighth as Netherlands’ Jetze Plat won gold.
Tomorrow sees the women’s events take place. Find out more details on the schedule and who is racing HERE.
Here's how you can get involved in Paratriathlon: https://www.britishtriathlon.org/get-involved/paratriathlon.
Rio Paralympic Games photographs by David Pearce.
