Pick of the Paralympics: Update

A few weeks ago I gave my picks of the Paralympics, which you can read here, so now it is only fair to update you on just how well they did.

Yesterday saw the 'golden summer of sport' come to an end with a magnificent pride parade of 800 Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and with a combined 63 gold medals (185 in total) there was much to celebrate.

Before we look at the individuals, congratulations to every athlete who took part in the games and competed with dedication and integrity.



Lee Pearson

Pearson collected his 10th gold medal at London 2012 in the team dressage but, as he, himself declared, was a little disappointed with his bronze in the freestyle event.

He suggested that it was partly due to a particular judge, who marked him down. Controversial, yes, but if any of you caught him on The Last Leg (Channel 4s nightly Paralympic round up) then you will know that is nothing new.

He also won a silver in the championship dressage and has said he expects to compete in Rio 2016.



The Quadfather

It was not a good summer for Peter Norfolk, who despite winning a silver in the men's quad doubles, with partner, Andy Lapthorne, was not playing his best.

Taken out in the quarter finals by Israel's Sharaga Weinberg (3-6, 7-5, 6-0), he lost his Paralympic crown that he has held since 2004.

His strong will and self confidence brought him to the doubles final but he confessed to making silly errors and commended his partner for keeping them in the match for so long.

Although he has stated that he will, indeed, take a break he has not ruled out Rio.



Jordanne Whiley and Lucy Shuker

Whiley was knocked out early on, in the women's singles by Thailand's Sakhorn Khanthasit (3-6, 4-6), whereas, Shuker made it to the quarter finals, only to be beaten  in straight sets (4-6, 2-6) by Jiske Griffioen of the Netherlands.

But, the ladies didn't walk away from the Paralympics empty handed, Shuker and Whiley took bronze in the women's doubles and are hoping for even better in Rio.

Vergeer of the Netherlands, who has been on a legendary winning streak continued her success and took gold in both the singles and doubles, truly amazing.



Eleanor Simmonds MBE

Eleanor Simmonds did amazingly well at London 2012, coming away with two gold medals (400m freestyle S6 and 200m individual medley SM6) a silver (100m freestyle S6) and a bronze (50m freestyle S5) and has set herself up for high expectations at the Rio games.

The whole GB swimming team did very well, coming in 7th in the swimming medal chart with 39 medals over all (7 gold).



David Weir

Now a household name David Weir won the hearts of the nation when he brought in 4 gold medals to add to team GB's medal haul.

Carrying the British flag at the closing ceremony on Sunday evening, Weir's four incredible golds came from the the men's 1500m, 5000m 800m and the marathon (T54).



Libby Clegg

Libby Clegg came away with a silver medal in the women's 100m T12, breaking the European record in the process, unfortunately, she failed to qualify in the women 200m T12.



Darren Kenny OBE

It was silver in the mixed team sprint (C1-5) and bronze in the individual pursuit (C3) for Darren Kenny, a solid performance, but perhaps not as well at the GB cycling team would have wanted.



The Ones That Got Away

The Paralympics threw up two home grown talents that I thought captured the spirit of, not only the games, but the level of competition and dedication the athletes put themselves through on a daily basis.

Having already won three golds and two bronze medals at previous Paralympic games (1996 to 2004) in the men's swimming, Jody Cundy, decided to try cycling as a competitive sport, competed in Beijing 2008 and won gold in 1km time trail (C4).

When Cundy was disqualified in London 2012 (you can read about it here) his chance to defend his title was over, and his subsequent outburst of anger reminded us just how hard these people train for; just for that minute, on that day.

His passion and dedication was clear, and, although some found it a little over dramatic, it provided one of the most talked about moments of the games and what is known as 'throwing a Cundy' is now a trendy colloquialism.

From the lows of despair, and feelings of being cheated out four years hard work, to the birth of a new star.

Jonnie Peacock only completed in his first international race earlier this year, now the fasted single-amputee in the world, Jonnie went on to take gold for GB in the Men's 100m T44.

At only 19, Jonnie Peacock promises to be an athlete to look out for in Rio 2016.

Congratulations to all the athletes!