Zhangyu Li claims another Paralympic gold

China’s Zhangyu Li continued his domination at the Rio Velodrome on Saturday (10 September) by claiming his second gold medal of Rio 2016.

Li finished just ahead of the Netherlands’ Arnoud Nijhuis in the C1-2-3 time trial.

“I am so happy, this is what I have worked for,” he said. “I cannot really explain how I feel, but it just means so much to me. I am proud of what I have done.”

In addition to defending his London 2012 Paralympic title, the 28-year-old Chinese athlete set a new world record in his category, covering 1,000m in 1:11.94.

Canada’s Tristen Chernove, C2 time-trial World Champion, took the bronze medal and lowered the Paralympic time in his class, stopping the clock at 1:14.72.

Elsewhere, Great Britain’s Kadeena Cox pulled off a stunning upset, dethroning Sarah Storey in the C4-5 time trial.

The 25-year-old demolished the C4 world record with a time of 35.716 seconds.

“I can't believe it, I have only been doing this for a year and a half but I've worked so hard for it,” she said. “I feel on top of the world now.”

China’s Jufang Zhou took silver in a time of 36.004 seconds – a new C5 world record. Zhou’s teammate Ruan Jianping cruised in for the bronze, the same colour of medal she earned at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, while Sarah Storey had to settle for a fourth-placed finish.

Alyda Norbruis set a new C2 world record in the women’s C1-2-3 time trial, edging out Australia’s Amanda Reid to take the gold medal.

“I just went out and did my best,” said Norbruis, who won silver in the same event at London 2012. “It feels incredible. It is only just sinking in that I have won the gold. I began to realise it only on the podium ceremony, but I will celebrate for sure.”

Jozef Metelka was once again crowned ‘King of the Pursuit’ in the C4 Class.

After establishing a new Paralympic record of 4:29.11 during qualifications, the Slovakian went on to defeat Australia’s Kyle Bridgwood in the final. Colombia’s Diego German Duenas Gomez took bronze.

In C5, Ukraine’s Yehor Dementyev snagged the pursuit gold medal, defeating Australia’s Alistair Donohoe in the final. Dementyev, 29, is generally known for his prowess in road events; this is his first Paralympic medal for a track event.

Colombia’s Edwin Fabian Matiz Ruiz reached the third spot on the podium, after having bested Brazil’s Lauro Cesar Chaman in the bronze medal final.