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Double wheelchair tennis gold for Alcott

Triple Paralympian and dual gold medallist Dylan Alcott has claimed his second gold medal in 24 hours at the Rio Games.

Sixteen years ago, Dylan Alcott was bullied in school for being overweight and in a wheelchair.

Now he's a triple Paralympian and dual gold medallist, and thanks sport for changing his life.

The 25-year-old won Australia's first wheelchair tennis singles gold medal in 16 years on Wednesday (Thursday AEST), and said, as a nine-year-old, he would never have believed it.

"I was an insecure kid about my disability. A few kids used to call me a cripple and I hate that word. I used to believe them," he said.

The world No.1 player in the quad class defeated Great Britain's Andy Lapthorne 6-3 6-4, backing up from his gold medal-winning doubles match the previous night with Heath Davidson.

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Alcott has also become one of a handful of Australians to win gold medals in two sports, after switching from wheelchair basketball.

The Victorian won gold with the Rollers in Beijing in 2008 at age 17 and silver with them again in London.

"I don't know many people with a resume like that," he said.

"This is probably sweeter because I've worked harder for this."

Alcott's victory was just one of the highlights on day seven of competition for the Aussie team.

Switching from the track, Australia's cyclists dug deep in sizzling conditions to pull out one gold, three silver and two bronze medals in the road time trials.

Dual athletics world record-holder Isis Holt won silver at her debut Games in the women's T35 100m.

Bundaberg's Rheed McCracken claimed bronze in the men's T34 800m, as did Jodi Elkington-Jones in the women's T37 long jump.

And Jonathon Milne won Australia's first medal in archery since 1984 with a bronze in the men's individual compound standing event.

But it wasn't all good news.

The Australian men's wheelchair basketball team suffered a shock quarter-final exit from the Games after being hammered by Great Britain 74-51.

There were no medals in the pool.

And Victorian wheelchair racer Jake Lappin was forced to withdraw from his two remaining events after he was hospitalised with an illness.

Despite this, Australia retained sixth spot on the medal table, with 10 gold, 21 silver and 20 bronze.


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



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