There are 54 gold medals on offer Wednesday at the Rio 2016 Paralympics — follow the highlights of day seven here.
Today’s headlines:
Ex-Formula One driver Alex Zanardi wins gold in the H5 hand cycling, adding to the Italian’s two golds and a silver from London 2012.
Kadeena Cox wins T38 400m gold, adding to her 100m bronze and gold in the velodrome.
It’s another big day in the pool, with 15 swimming titles to be won.
In wheelchair tennis, the men’s singles finalists will be decided — London 2012 silver medalist Stephane Houdet of France takes on Britain’s in-form Gordon Reid in one semi.
The wheelchair rugby tournament begins, with world champion Australia beginning its title defense in a group clash with Britain.
In spikes and on a bike
The multi-talented Kadeena Cox won the T38 400m final to claim her third medal of Rio 2016.
Cox, already with C4-5 time trial gold and T38 100m bronze to her name, pulled clear of Chinese rival Chen Junfei in the last 20m to smash the world record by a second and a half.
After running a conservative first 200m, Cox came into the final straight level with Junfei and home favorite Veronica Hipolito but, as the Brazilian’s legs tied, Cox surged clear to take gold.
“I saw the Chinese girl inside me and thought ‘Oh, I’m gonna have to really work for this,'” Cox told Chanel 4. “I was stumbling all over the place but I got there.
“Off the back of the bike training I knew it (fitness) would be there. I did it!”
Initially competing as an able-bodied athlete, Cox was taken to hospital in 2014 amid fears she was suffering from a stroke. After further tests she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
Cox’s punishing schedule of competing in both cycling and athletics is undoubtedly taking a toll on her body, but she says the hard work of physiotherapists and doctors is keeping her in racing condition.
When asked after her 100m race why she decided to compete in two sports, despite the effects it could have on her MS, Cox admitted she didn’t know what condition her body would be in for Tokyo 2020, so wants to make the most of competing at the top level while she can.
But one of the many dilemma’s multi-discipline athletes face is which group of athletes to stay with at the Olympic Village.
“I’m staying with the cyclists, they’re more fun than the athletes!”
