Huge day for Aussies at Paris Paralympics with 10 medals coming – with a hint of controversy

Australia enjoyed its most successful day of medals so far at the Paris Paralympic Games, with Nikki Ayers and Jed Altschwager leading the way by winning gold in the PR3 mixed double sculls.

Ayers and Altschwager beat off a challenge from Great Britain to win Australia’s first-ever rowing gold, one of 10 medals they collected in Paris on Sunday.

The duo’s success on the water at Vaires sur Marne was further enhanced by Erik Horrie, who, after initially finishing fourth, was promoted to bronze in the men’s PR1 skiff.

Italian rower Giacomo Perini was disqualified for allegedly carrying a “communication device”, believed to be a mobile phone, in his boat during the race.

The strong rowing performances were followed by performances elsewhere in the city, with Australia winning five medals in the swimming pool at La Defense Arena.

Among them was Ahmed Kelly, who had been disqualified in his heat due to the legality of his stroke. However, after protesting the decision, he was reinstated and won silver in the men’s 150m medley in the SM3.

Gordon Allan, Korey Boddington and Alistair Donohoe took bronze in the velodrome

Mali Lovell also won bronze medals in the women’s 200m T36 and Dayna Crees in the women’s javelin F34 at the Stade de France.

And in the team sprint at the cycling stadium, Gordon Allan, Korey Boddington and Alistair Donohoe finished in third place.

Elsewhere, boccia duo Dan Michel and Jamieson Leeson are assured of at least silver after qualifying for their respective singles gold medals.

But Ayers and Altschwager were the main act, finishing strongly with a time of 7 minutes and 26 seconds, good for gold.

Altschwager lost his left leg in an accident at work, while Ayers had to undergo an amputation due to complications caused by an injury he sustained while playing rugby.

“It hurts now, but it was absolutely worth it,” Ayers said.

‘It (the medal) is a symbol of hope and never giving up on your dreams.

‘To everyone with a disability, man, woman, in short, everyone: never give up and keep striving for your dreams and they will come true.’

Meanwhile, in the swim, Kelly was overjoyed to take silver after nearly being disqualified.

It was alleged that Iraqi-born Kelly, who was born without legs and arms up to the elbow, had used the butterfly stroke instead of the freestyle in the final stage.

Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson won his third medal at his third Paralympic Games in the pool

But Swimming Australia officials protested and he went through to the final, finishing second, with Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson taking bronze.

The Australian also won silver and bronze in the men’s 100m freestyle, S10. Rowan Crothers finished ahead of Tom Gallagher, although he felt he had not given his best.

“If I say today is not my day, that’s still a silver medal, so it’s hard to be too unhappy about that,” Crothers said.

‘Everything in the training reflects my ability to go much faster than 51.55 (seconds).

‘I went this morning around the same time and it felt like a breeze, so for that not to translate into a faster swim in the final is a bit disappointing.’

The mixed 4x100m freestyle S14 relay delivered the fifth pool medal of the day as an inspiring performance from Ben Hance propelled the team, which also included Jack Ireland, Madeleine McTernan and Ruby Storm, to second place.