Rio 2016: Sarah Storey wins her 12th gold medal to become the most successful British female Paralympian of all time
The 38-year-old was competing in her seventh Paralympic games and beat fellow Briton Crystal Lane to cycling gold
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sarah Storey has claimed her 12th gold medal in Rio to confirm her status as the most successful British female Paralympian of all time.
The 38-year-old powered to victory in an all-British final in the Women's C5 3000m individual pursuit, comfortably beating fellow Briton Crystal Lane.
Storey, who switched from a career in the pool to the cycling track prior to Beijing 2008, secured her place in the history books after only 1,375m of a 3,000m race as she clocked in at 1:36.893 minutes.
She now surpasses the record medal haul set by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson who won 11 gold medals throughout her career.
The Briton made her first appearance as a Paralympian at the 1992 Games in Barcelona where she won two golds in the pool. Storey went on to win three more swimming golds between 1992 and 2004 before a series of ear infections forced her out of the pool and into the velodrome.
She hasn't looked back since.
Storey qualified for Thursday night's final in a world-record time of 3:31.394 minutes - more than 17 seconds quicker than Lane in qualifying.
Not to be overlooked, Lane, who was appearing in her second Paralympics, took silver to claim her first medal at the Games.
Speaking after the race, Storey said: "I've not thought about being the most decorated Paralympian until two days ago, Tanni's still a hero for me.
"To go quicker than London after having my daughter Louisa is the icing on the cake.
"You can never underestimate anyone on the other side of the track. It's amazing and I don't think it will sink for a very long time."
The honour of Britain's first medal of the XV Paralympics went to Megan Giglia, however, who won gold in the C1-2-3 3km individual pursuit moments prior to Storey.
Giglia also clocked a world record in qualifying in 4:03.544, more than eight seconds clear of the United States' Jamie Whitmore, her rival in the final.
The 31-year-old, who suffered a brain haemorrhage in January 2013, won the world title in Italy in March and put in a dominant performance again when it mattered.
She closed in on Whitmore at the halfway mark and passed the American soon after to take gold. She had the option to continue to go for another world record, but opted not to.
"To be fair it hasn't sunk in yet, all I know is I wouldn't be here without my team, the back up crew behind me here, my family and friends," Giglia said on Channel 4.
"I only look forward to the future. I didn't think I would make it to Rio, I thought it was a bit ambitious but I thought I would give it a go.
"Within the British camp the atmosphere is great, everyone is hyped up and ready to go.
"I hope this will be the first of many golds. I've still got three events to go so we'll have to see.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments