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Tokyo Paralympics: Great Britain wins 30th gold medal after David Smith retains boccia title

After day eight of the Tokyo Paralympics, Britain has a total of 85 medals - made up of 30 golds, 24 silver and 31 bronze.

Wednesday 1 September 2021 15:09, UK

Britain's David Smith poses with the gold medal during the awarding ceremony after winning Boccia individual BC1 category at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Image: Britain's David Smith poses with the gold medal. Pic: AP
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Great Britain has won its 30th gold medal of the Tokyo Paralympics after David Smith fought back to retain his boccia title.

The 32-year-old became the Paralympic-specific game's most successful British player after retaining his individual BC1 title against Malaysia's Chew Wei Lun.

He said his success had been inspired by his grandfather, Charlie, as he battled back from an early deficit at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre.

Britain's David Smith reacts during the gold medal match for Boccia individual BC1 category, against Malaysia's Chew Wei Lun, at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Image: Smith said he felt his late grandfather was with him on court. Pic: AP

"My grandad passed away when I was about 16 and he never got to see all the things I became afterwards," said Smith.

"I just had a weird feeling when I came out on court that he was there somewhere, that's what the tears were for."

"There are a lot of things going on in my head at the moment, becoming the first BC1 to defend a Paralympic title and becoming the most successful British player of all-time," Smith added.

"You try not to think about it but it does matter, I do care about stuff like that."

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In boccia, one side has six red balls and the other six blue balls. Similar to bowls, the aim is to get your balls closer to the white target ball, the 'jack', than your opponent.

Glory for Smith on Wednesday evening brought Britain's only gold on day eight of the Paralympics.

Swimmer Rebecca Redfern won silver in the women's 100m breaststroke-SB13 after she finished just 0.64 seconds behind Germany's Elena Krawzow.

Handout photo dated 01/09/2021 provided by ParalympicsGB/imagecomms of ParalympicsGB Swimmer, Rebecca Redfern aged 21, from Droitwich, wins silver in the 100m Breaststroke SB13 - Women event at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre during day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Japan. Picture date: Wednesday September 1, 2021.
Image: Swimmer Rebecca Redfern won silver in the 100m breaststroke SB13

GB's men's table tennis team, Aaron McKibbin, Billy Shilton and Ross Wilson, also won bronze in the class 8 category, and archer Victoria Rumary fired her way to bronze on her debut.

andout photo dated 01/09/2021 provided by ParalympicsGB/imagecomms of Great Britain's Victoria Rumary on the podium with bronze in the Women's W1 Archery at the Yumenoshima Park Archery Field during day eight of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Japan. Picture date: Wednesday September 1, 2021.
Image: Archer Victoria Rumary won bronze on her Paralympic debut

Rumary said: "My coach said I can finally have some chocolate cake tonight after the competition...

"I just want to say thank you very much, to all my family. My mum and dad, who have driven me all over the country to competitions, so I could actually get here, I want to thank them and tell them 'I love you all'."

Overnight, cyclist Dame Sarah Storey will be looking to make history and become the country's most-decorated Paralympian when she performs in the women's C4-C5 road race.

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