Australia’s James Turner has lived up to his top billing, winning the men’s T36 400m final at Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium.
Already the world record holder, the Canberra-based athlete set a Paralympics record en route to his gold medal.
He struggled in the humidity post race, collapsing briefly after doing some media interviews but was back on his feet before long.
“I’ve got a headache and it hurt but it’s all worth it,” Turner told the Seven Network.
“It’s my job to win – that’s what I’m here to do.”
Turner, who has cerebral palsy, already has a Paralympic gold after winning the 800m in 2016, with the event cut from the athletics program in Tokyo.
The 25-year-old crossed the line in 52.80 seconds – outside his world best time of 51.71 second – but 0.8 seconds clear of Russian Evgenii Shvetsov with Kiwi William Stedman third.
“He’s (Shvetsov) always quick at the start but I was confident I could get him in the end,” five-time world champion Turner said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Jaryd Clifford won his second Paralympic track and field medal, adding a bronze in the men’s 1500m to his haul.
World record holder Clifford went into the T13 1500m as a gold medal favourite after being pipped in the 5000m.
But Russia’s Anton Kuliatin surged down the final stretch with 22-year-old Clifford unable to go with him.
Tunisia’s Rouay Jebabli held Clifford at bay to win silver.
“It was a tough race – I know a lot of the boys are coming off really quick 800 metre PBs and it showed in that last lap,” said the 22-year-old Victorian, who is visually impaired.
“Anton, the winner, has been to able-bodied championships as well and he’s a very good runner.”
Kuliatin’s time of 3 minutes 54.04 seconds was way off Clifford’s world best mark of 3.41.34, set in Canberra in March.
Fellow Australian Sam Harding finished 11th in the final.
Alissa Jordan ran a personal best time of 12.80 in the 100m T47 heats but narrowly missed the final.
AAP
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