sports

Lakeisha Patterson has won Australia's first gold medal at the 2016 Paralympics.

It’s a good day to be an Australian, boys and girls. Our female athletes have just nabbed us four medals in a single day at the Rio Paralympic Games, including a bright, shiny gold.

We can thank swimmer Lakeisha “Lucky” Patterson for that one.

With a blistering time of 4:40.33 in the S8 400m, the Queensland teenager not only beat her idol Jessica Long, but also snatched the veteran American’s world record by a margin of 0.11 seconds.

“It was pretty surreal really,” Patterson told APC Media after the race.

“Jess is an amazing and fierce competitor, and to be able to race alongside her and get past her was bittersweet because she has been my idol growing up. So to race alongside her, and end up on top is quite amazing.

“Jess said she was really proud of me and can’t believe how well I’ve done, and I really appreciated that, it was really nice. To hear those nice words from her really made me feel special.”

Earlier, the Australian team rejoiced as cyclist Sue Powell claimed our first medal of the games, with silver in the individual pursuit.

It’s the third Paralympic medal for the 49-year-old, who was denied the top spot on the podium by reigning world champion Shawn Morelli from the United States.

“I’ve work my arse off the last few years to try to just get that one more great time,” Powell said, according to ABC News.

“I think this morning I put down a really good ride, which I’m proud of. I didn’t quite back it up tonight but I’m still really stoked.”

Our other medals went to track and field athletes, with Angie Ballard winning bronze in the T53 100m event and Carlee Beattie also managing third place in the F47 long jump.

Well done, ladies!

Featured image via: Twitter, AUS Paralympic Team.