Glory for Lauren Steadman led the way as Great Britain picked up a glittering full complement of triathlon medals on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Steadman upgraded the PT4 silver she won in Rio five years ago to PTS5 gold with a finish of 1:04:46, 41 seconds clear of American Grace Norman.
ParalympicsGB team-mate Claire Cashmore completed the podium in that race in a time of 1:07:36, while fellow Briton George Peasgood earlier won men’s silver in 58:55.
Steadman was favourite for gold in Brazil five years ago but was beaten by American Grace Norman after making an error in the swim section.
The 28-year-old avenged that painful experience, beating Norman by 41 seconds, with former swimmer Cashmore – an eight-time Paralympic medallist in her former sport – two minutes 50 seconds off the pace following a one-minute penalty.
“That’s a massive redemption. I was devastated after Rio, I was really destroyed, I didn’t go anywhere near my bike, my shoes or my swimsuit for seven months,” said Steadman
“My coach told me: ‘You’re not done yet and keep going’. I put all my faith in him and he got me there.
“It’s been hit and miss over the last four years, some races I’ve won, some I’ve narrowly missed out on.
“Before Rio I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders and it really got to me.
“This time I knew the pressure was there but because Rio was a terrible experience, I was determined to just enjoy this regardless of whether I got a medal. When it hurt I thought ‘this is what I built for’.”
