It was a golden Friday for Paralympics GB which saw athletes from Loughborough College at the top of the podium in three events and on Saturday College student George Peasgood declared himself happy with a historic triathlon, former student Sam Ingram was frustrated with a medal near miss and fellow former student Ellie Simmonds enjoyed her first race.
There was a historic para-triathlon gold for world champion Andy Lewis who powered to an impressive victory in the men’s PT2 event as the sport made its Games debut in Rio, with ParalympicsGB team-mate and Loughborough College student George Peasgood finishing seventh in the PT4 race over the demanding course around the iconic Copacabana beach.
The 20-year old former world bronze medallist was leading after the swim and bike but fell back on the run as German world champion Martin Schultz took gold.
“I had more more of a lead after the swim than I expected, I really nailed it,” said George.
“I tried to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy it. I knew the run would be tough but I did all I could and I’m really happy with the result.”
ParalympicsGB judoka and former Loughborough College student Sam Ingram admitted his frustration at losing his bronze medal fight in Rio.
The London 2012 silver medallist lost his opening fight in the -90kg class to Cuba’s Jorge Hierrezuelo, a rematch of the Paralympic final four years ago.
Ingram fought well in the subsequent repechages but went down to American Dartanyon Crockett in a fight for the last step on the podium.
“To be honest, I underperformed in this tournament and the referee’s decisions didn’t go my way. Sometimes in judo you need things to just go your way as well,” said Ingram.
“All of these guys from around the world are training day in, day out, in big set-ups with loads of training partners and they’re all within institutes of sport. The Paralympic movement has moved on massively, as the Olympics has.
“You can see it in every sport. In judo, I wouldn’t predict a gold medal because it’s unpredictable, but for our young guys, the sky’s the limit.”
Elsewhere in the heats of the S6 50m freestyle, four-time Paralympic champion Simmonds was competing for the first time in Brazil.
Afterwards Ellie, whose specialty is the longer distances, said:
"It's really good to have got my first race at this Paralympics done. It's a great pool and I've been really eager to race.
"The 50m isn't my main event so it's good to get a race in ahead of my big targets. It was a steady swim and I think the final will be great to watch."
Day four will see Loughborough College student Sophie Thornhill and pilot Helen Scott compete in the women’s individual pursuit B, fellow College student Olivia Breen go for gold in the T38 long jump and former student Dave Phillipson play Stephane Houdet of France in the second round of the men’s singles in wheelchair tennis.
ParalympicsGB are currently second in the medal table behind China.
Pictured: Loughborough College para-triathlete George Peasgood competes in the PT4 on Copacabana beach in Rio at the 2016 Paralympics (onEdition)