Paralympics 2016: Andy Lewis claims first Para-triathlon gold while there is a bronze in the shot put

The comprehensive round-up from all the biggest stories on day three at the Paralympic Games

Matt McGeehan
in Rio
Saturday 10 September 2016 16:04 EDT
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Andy Lewis claimed Team GB's 13th gold
Andy Lewis claimed Team GB's 13th gold (Getty Images)

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Andy Lewis was thrilled after claiming Great Britain's 13th gold medal as triathlon made its Paralympic Games debut in Rio.

World champion Lewis, a lower leg amputee, won the PT2 category race at Copacabana beach.

His gold was ParalympicsGB's first of the third day of competition.

"I thought that I was dreaming. I couldn't realise that it was real," said the 33-year-old from Lydney in Gloucestershire.

"When I came across that finish line, I held the tape in the air and wondered whether it was all real.

"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.

"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."

Lewis had his right leg amputated through the knee after being involved in a motorbike accident when aged 16. At the time he was applying to be part of the Army Parachute Regiment and was a cross country runner for Gloucestershire.

It is little more than two years since he completed his first triathlon, but he claimed an impressive win in one hour 11 minutes 49 seconds, winning by 41 seconds from his nearest rival after moving up from fourth place at the end of the bike leg and ahead of the five-kilometre run.

Ryan Taylor was sixth - two minutes and 31 seconds behind - while George Peasgood was seventh in the PT4 event and Joe Townsend sixth in the PT1 event.

Townsend is a Royal Marine who lost both of his legs while stepping on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan in February 2008.

Sabrina Fortune claimed Britain's 29th medal of the Games, with bronze in the F20 shot put.

The 19-year-old from Chester threw a personal best of 12.94 metres as Ewa Durska of Poland won with a world record of 13.94m.

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