ParalympicsGB and Loughborough College had a day – and night – to remember as athletes from the College won three of seven golds on the second day of competition in Rio.
Loughborough College student Sophie Thornhill kicked off the gold rush alongside pilot Helen Scott at the Olympic velodrome when they smashed the Paralympic record with their women’s B 1000 m time trial win in 1:06.283. And in a golden night for athletics Loughborough College student Sophie Hahn and former student Libby Clegg both scooped gold in their respective 100m finals (T37, T38 & T11).
Hahn triumphed with a Paralympic record-equalling run of 12.62 in the 100m T38 with Olivia Breen, also a Loughborough College student, seventh in 13.41.
Elsewhere former Loughborough College student David Phillipson dropped just one game in a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Canada’s Phillippe Bedard to progress to the second round in wheelchair tennis.
London 2012 bronze medallist and Loughborough College student Aaron McKibbin meanwhile topped his Class 8 group and secured his progression into the knockout stages of the Paralympic Games table tennis competition with a 3-1 win over Belgium’s Marc Ledoux.
Defeat in his opening Class 8 match meant McKibbin had to secure victory in his final Group C contest to keep his medal hopes alive. The 25-year-old won the opening two games 11-4 and 11-5, and while Ledoux took the third 12-10, McKibbin responded excellently to take a crucial fourth 11-3.
“I loved every second of it. I’ve had the whole day to prepare and I think I’ve done myself justice,” said McKibbin.
Hopes of singles success for Loughborough College student Ross Wilson were over with his 3-1 lose to Poland’s Marcin Skrzynecki in Class 8. He now looks to the team event later in the Games but, clearly disappointed, he said:
“I left it all out there I just didn’t have enough. I really wanted to have enough just for everyone who has supported me and really give something back to them and for myself as well.
“Hopefully I can have a few days rest and try and reflect on how those matches have gone and try and come back stronger for the team event.
“I know the boys deserve it more than anything and I will give absolutely everything to try and get them a medal.”
Former Loughborough College student Ellie Simmonds starts her medal bid on Saturday as she competes in the 50m freestyle S6 event. There are more singles group matches at the table tennis and Loughborough College alumnus Sam Ingram will be seeking to upgrade his London 2012 silver in the judo’s under-90kg competition.
Pictured: Loughborough College cyclist Sophie Thornhill (left) wins gold at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio (onEdition)