A record breaking performance ensured reigning world champion and Loughborough College student Sophie Hahn qualified for the semi-finals alongside fellow sprinters Olivia Breen and Libby Clegg on a Paralympic Games opening day which saw Great Britain finish second in the medal table after winning five gold, three silver and three bronze.
The first ParalympicsGB athlete on the track on day one, sprinter Libby Clegg ran a lifetime best 12.17 to successfully qualify for today's T11 100m semi-finals alongside her guide Chris Clarke.
The double Paralympic silver medalist and former Loughborough College student was awarded the same time as China’s Guohua Zhou in the second heat as they finished joint first.
Clegg, 26, who set a world record in the T11 200m at the Anniversary Games earlier this summer and was a silver medallist in the T12 100m at London 2012, was the joint second fastest qualifier to progress.
“I wanted to come out here and start strongly and set the team up for some positive performances,” said Clegg.
Later on the track, reigning world champion and Loughborough College student Sophie Hahn broke the Paralympic record in the T38 100m running 12.62.
Fellow College student Olivia Breen qualified as a fastest loser after a fourth-placed finish in 13.35 seconds.
Loughborough College student Ross Wilson was agonisingly close in his men’s singles class 8 table tennis match against Emil Andersson in a repeat of their London 2012 bronze medal match but lost a fifth game decider 11-8.
Wilson said: “I didn’t play too bad today and I’m still not in a bad position going into tomorrow’s match.”
Fellow Loughborough College student Aaron McKibbin was the first table tennis player in action but was beaten 3-1 (11-6, 10-12, 11-5, 11-6) by world number three Thomas Bouvais in his opening men’s class 8 single match.
“Obviously I played against a very good opponent who I find quite tricky. I don’t think I played bad - I made a few silly mistakes but my tactics were good,” said McKibbin.
“I felt there are a lot of positives I can take into the second game where I know I’ve got a really good chance to get the victory.”
Pictured: Loughborough College student Sophie Hahn breaks the T38 100m Paralympic record on day one of the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro (onEdition)