Ben Hance wins Paris Paralympics gold medal after breaking world ...
4 hours agoFri 6 Sep 2024 at 7:37pm
Ben Hance says he thanked his late father after defending his Paralympic title in Paris. (BSR Agency via Getty Images: Joris Verwijst)
Ben Hance won the Paralympic gold medal in the men's 100m backstroke S14 after breaking the world record in the heats.
Hance was the defending champion after winning the gold in Tokyo. He was also a two-time world champion in the event.
What's next?The final 15 medals in para swimming will be decided on day 10 in Paris.
Ben Hance's dominance of the men's 100m backstroke S14 has continued in Paris, with the Australian breaking the world record and claiming a second gold in the event on day nine.
The Australian entered the final on Saturday morning, AEST, as a massive favourite after breaking his own world record just hours earlier in the heats.
The two-time world champion and defending champion from Tokyo sent a warning to his rivals with a qualifying time of 56.62 seconds.
While he could not better that mark in the final, Hance was a cut above the rest as he claimed gold in 57.04 seconds.
It was an emotional win for the Australian, who lost his father Tony in March this year.
"Worst year of my life, by far. Worst season of my life," he said.
"I'm glad this season is over. I'm glad I got a gold medal now, and hell, even getting a world record.
"I've over-accomplished this season by a country mile."
Hance straddled the lane rope after his win and looked to the skies, an emotional moment for the Paralympic champion who had his family cheering him on from the stands.
"I was just thanking my father for everything he's done," he said.
"He always loved my backstroke and I'm glad I gave him a gold medal."
Hance's triumph highlighted a terrific day nine in Paris for the Australian para swim team.
Australia won seven medals on day nine, including gold to Hance and 17-year-old Callum Simpson.
In one of the closest finishes imaginable, Simpson won gold over American Noah Jaffe by 0.02 seconds, with Italian bronze medallist Alberto Amodeo a further 0.05 seconds adrift.
