The 20 selected individuals are scheduled to compete in Alpine skiing, Nordic skiing (biathlon and cross country) and Snowboard alongside the five Wheelchair curlers who were announced in January 2022.

This means ParalympicsGB will have a team size of 25 for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games, the biggest since Lillehammer 1994.

Alpine skiing features defending Paralympic Slalom champion and PyeongChang 2018 multi-medallist, Menna Fitzpatrick who will be competing with new guides Katie Guest and Gary Smith. Fitzpatrick will be joined again by PyeongChang 2018 triple medallist, Millie Knight who will be partnered again by Brett Wild. They are joined in the Visually Impaired class by Games debutant Neil Simpson who is guided by his brother Andrew. All three athletes enjoyed recent medal success at the 2021 World Championships in Lillehammer.

Menna Fitzpatrick said: “It’s a huge honour to be selected to represent ParalympicsGB again, and I can’t wait to get out there and get started. The last two years have been disrupted due to injury and the pandemic and, with uncertainty about whether the Games would go ahead, let alone the qualification process, to have a seat on that plane is amazing. I’m super excited to travel to China as part of such an incredible team of athletes representing Great Britain.”

Shona Brownlee will also be making her Games debut after a rapid rise since taking up the sport just four years ago. She is joined in the Sitting Class by Alex Slegg and Dan Sheen, who both went to PyeongChang on the ParalympicsGB Paralympic Inspiration Programme designed to give aspiring athletes a taste of the Games.

In the Standing Class, James Whitley will be looking to build on the experience he gained in multiple events at Sochi 2014 and PyeongChang 2018.

Nordic skiing has no fewer than five athletes selected, demonstrating the progress the sport has made since Scott Meenagh became the first British athlete to compete for 20 years at PyeongChang 2018.

Meenagh is joined by fellow military veteran Steve Arnold with both set to compete in the biathlon and cross-country events. They will be joined in both events by debutant Callum Deboys, who was inspired to take up the sport after meeting Meenagh.

Competing in just the cross-country events will be Steve Thomas who will be participating at a remarkable sixth Paralympics having represented ParalympicsGB in sailing from 2004-2016 as well as being part of the Para ice hockey team at Turin 2006 and Hope Gordon, who is also on the British Canoe high performance programme, and is set to become ParalympicsGB’s first ever female Nordic athlete.

Scott Meenagh said: “I’m extremely proud to have been selected to go to my second Paralympic Winter Games. To be here again four years later alongside four other Para Nordic skiers is just an amazing feeling, and a real confirmation of the progress we’re making as a country in the sport. It’s been a challenging couple of years for all of us, but knowing our efforts will see us ready to compete in Beijing shows the hard work has been worth it. I can’t wait to get out there and get amongst it with the team!”

Snowboard sees the return of two athletes who featured at PyeongChang 2018, James Barnes-Miller fresh from his recent medal success at the World Championships in Lillehammer, and Owen Pick who won a silver medal at the Klovsjo 2022 World Cup. They are joined by Games debutants Ollie Hill – who won a World Championships bronze in the team event along with Barnes-Miller – and Andy MacLeod.

James Barnes-Miller said: “I’m stoked to be a part of the squad for the Paralympic Winter Games, and I’m just buzzing to get out on the snow in Beijing. I learned so much from my first experience of the Paralympics four years ago and I want to bring all of that experience to the slopes when our events get started. We’ve got an incredible squad and we showed at the World Championships that we’re ready to compete with the best in the world. Bring it on!”

Phil Smith, ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission at Beijing 2022, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be able to confirm ParalympicsGB will be taking one of our biggest ever Winter teams and one that promises to be our most competitive across a wider range of sports and events than ever before.

“The determination, strength and resilience each of these talented athletes has shown as they have continued to train and compete during these most challenging times has been incredible and I have no doubt that they will once again unite and inspire the nation with their performances at Beijing 2022.

“We are looking forward to using Beijing to build on the success of the past two Paralympic Winter Games and further enhance our reputation as an emerging winter sport nation.”

The Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games take place from March 4th to March 13th and are expected to be the biggest ever featuring an estimated 600 athletes from more than 50 countries.

Beijing 2022 Snowsport Athletes and hometown.

Alpine Skiing:

Shona Brownlee – Livingston
Menna Fitzpatrick – Macclesfield
(Guides: Katie Guest – Perth, Gary Smith – Luton)
Millie Knight – Canterbury
(Guide: Brett Wild – Glasgow)
Dan Sheen – Ellesmere Port
Neil Simpson – Banchory
(Guide: Andrew Simpson – Banchory)
Alex Slegg – Amesbury
James Whitley – Wilmington

Nordic Skiing:

Steve Arnold – Hampshire
Callum Deboys – Kirkmichael
Hope Gordon – Golspie
Scott Meenagh – Cumbernauld
Steve Thomas – Ogmore Valley

Snowboard:

James Barnes-Miller – Broadstairs
Ollie Hill – Reading
Andy Macleod – Stirling
Owen Pick – Bury St. Edmunds

With thanks to ParalympicsGB

The team includes former firefighter David Melrose who has paid tribute to the power of the Paralympics after being selected as part of the British team making the trip to China in March.

Along with Meggan Dawson-Farrell and the team’s alternate (travelling reserve) Charlotte McKenna, Melrose has been selected by ParalympicsGB as one of three debutants who will line up with Hugh Nibloe, who competed at PyeongChang 2018 and Gregor Ewan, who won bronze at Sochi 2014.

Melrose admits that this latest step on his journey that began 11 years ago when he was paralysed after an accident at work feels like a reward for his positive outlook after that life-changing moment.

“I remember trying to lift the spirits of my family during my third day in hospital and had been told I would not walk again,” Melrose explained. “A fellow fire fighter was visiting and I said: ‘Now what sport can I do to get to the Paralympics?’.

“It was an off the cuff remark to make sure they thought I wasn’t too down. It was not something I was serious about until I got on the curling programme in 2018 and that honed my self-discipline and drive. Curling definitely helped me to re-focus on what I wanted to do with the rest of my life after my accident.”

Melrose joined the British Curling programme in 2018 and made rapid progress, earning selection for the World Championships the following year when Scotland won silver on home ice. However, the head-spinning nature of that experience has made him even more determined to savour his Paralympic debut.

“Going to my first Worlds was a bit of a blur in what was a meteoric first few years on the programme, so I really want to fully appreciate my first Paralympics,” he said.

“Getting the chance to pull on the ParalympicsGB kit starts to make it feel more real in what still feels like a surreal experience as the Paralympics is the pinnacle of the sport and there is no higher achievement than getting this opportunity.

“I am excited but probably not as excited as my wife Clare and the family,” added Melrose. “They have been a constant support throughout the low times during the Covid pandemic when the squad could not train together. I know it will be all consuming and they have my back when I am in Beijing – and full credit to Sheila (Swan, British Curling’s Paralympic Head Coach) to see something in me and get me in to shape so I now have a life changing opportunity.”

Dawson-Farrell will meanwhile secure a very special place in sporting history when she takes to the ice in Beijing, having previously represented Scotland in Para athletics at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

“It was obviously exciting to be selected for the Commonwealth Games but it is also hugely exciting to be going to such a big global event and to have the chance to pull on a GB jersey. This is what you train for every day,” said the 29-year-old.

“Having switched to curling I now know the more team-oriented sport and the camaraderie of team-mates actually suits me better and to be able to share this experience with team-mates will be so much better.”

She is also excited about what her participation at a Paralympics means for her family and friends.

“We may not be able to have them in the stands, but they will be rooting for us from home and I also have team-mates that have each other’s backs and I am so grateful to be selected with them,” she said.

“I am sure it will be an amazing experience and like my team-mates we will be giving our all to make the play-offs and the medal matches. All of us want to come home with something shiny.”

ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission for Beijing 2022 Phil Smith said, “I am delighted to welcome Hugh, David, Meggan, Gregor and Charlotte to the ParalympicsGB team bound for Beijing, the first names to be confirmed on the ParalympicsGB teamsheet for these Games.

“All five athletes have already produced some brilliant results this season and shown great focus and resolve in securing selection, particularly after the challenging times brought about by the COVID pandemic over the last two years, and I’m excited to see what they can achieve on the ice in Beijing in just under 60 days’ time.”

British Curling’s Executive Performance Director Nigel Holl added, “Congratulations to this team who have had to demonstrate incredible resilience and determination to prepare for these Games during a period of extraordinary challenges. The team is an exciting combination of three debutants alongside two-time Paralympian Gregor Ewan and 2018 Paralympian Hugh Nibloe who are ready to show the world their potential and we wish them every success at what will be a unique Games experience.”

ParalympicsGB Wheelchair Curlers:

Meggan Dawson-Farrell – Tullibody
Charlotte McKenna (alternate) – Bridge of Allan
Gregor Ewan – Elgin
Hugh Nibloe – Stranraer
David Melrose – Duns

With thanks to the British Paralympic Association and ParalympicsGB

The British team won medals across 18 sports and finished second behind China on the medal table with 124 medals overall, including 41 gold, 38 silver and 45 bronze.

Chef de Mission Penny Briscoe OBE said: “I am so proud of what all of our 226 athletes here in Tokyo have achieved over the last 12 days of competition.

“The team came into these Games after an extremely difficult 18 months as the COVID pandemic brought the world to a standstill. Never before has ParalympicsGB faced such a complex and demanding Games environment – the phenomenal determination and resilience of athletes and staff throughout this period has been remarkable and we couldn’t have achieved all that we did without the invaluable support of The National Lottery players.

“To finish second on the medal table, with more medals overall than the total number we won at our home Games in London nine years ago, is a fantastic achievement.

“ParalympicsGB’s traditionally strong sports, such as cycling, rowing and equestrian, once again proved to be the best in the world but we also had best performances this century from the likes of our wheelchair fencing, judo and table tennis squads.”

Every member of ParalympicsGB’s 20-strong cycling squad won medals in Tokyo, spearheaded by Dame Sarah Storey who became Great Britain’s most successful Paralympian of all time, winning three events to reach 17 golds in a stunning career.

In the dressage arena, Sir Lee Pearson moved to third on the all-time list of ParalympicsGB medallists with three golds in Tokyo – and his 14th across five Games. Joining the 47-year-old on the podium was Georgia Wilson, one of 48 Games debutants in the ParalympicsGB team who return home with silverware. Swimmer Reece Dunn won no fewer than five medals – three golds, a silver and a bronze – making him the most decorated athlete in the ParalympicsGB squad for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

There were medals too for British athletes in taekwondo and badminton, new additions to the Paralympic programme for Tokyo 2020 as Beth Munro, Amy Truesdale, Dan Bethell and Krysten Coombs all reached the podium.

ParalympicGB’s wheelchair rugby team struck gold for the first time at their sixth Games, beating three-time champions the USA 54-49 in a thrilling final. Kylie Grimes, the sole female in the British squad, also made history as she became the first woman to win wheelchair rugby gold.

Experience also paid off for table tennis player Sue Bailey who, after competing at six Paralympic Games, secured her first Paralympic medal alongside teammate Megan Shackleton. Para canoe’s Jeanette Chippington was ParalympicGB’s oldest medallist with bronze out on the water in the women’s VL2 event. The 51-year-old first pulled on the British vest at Seoul 1988 in a remarkable Paralympic career that has spanned five decades.

Meanwhile 17-year-old swimmer Ellie Challis, ParalympicGB’s youngest athlete in Tokyo, exemplified the star quality of the next generation of young athletes with silver in the women’s 50m backstroke (S3).

Summing up the performance of the team over the last 12 days, Briscoe said: “The performance of the athletes will live long in the memory and their impact will transcend these Games – inspiring the next generation, giving hope and happiness, and positively influencing change through what they have delivered on and off the field of play.

“These have been a memorable Games in so many ways and the entire ParalympicsGB team has been overwhelmed by the hospitality and generosity of the Japanese people. In the Village and at every venue, the Tokyo 2020 volunteers have been incredibly welcoming to our athletes and support staff and as a team we would like to say thank you for all they and the Tokyo 2020 organisers have done.

“We are humbled by the experience and proud of our contribution towards a safe, secure and successful Paralympic Games. Arigato Japan.”

Courtesy of ParalympicsGB

The ParalympicsGB wheelchair tennis pair were beaten 6-0 6-1 by Dutch duo Diede de Groot and Aniek van Koot in 67 minutes.

Whiley and Shuker first combined at Beijing 2008, when the former was just 16, and won back-to-back Paralympic bronze medals at London 2012 and Rio 2016.

With Whiley confirming this will be her last Paralympic Games, the pair can reflect on a long journey together in the sport.

“I was very young and inexperienced in Beijing and this is a completely different turn of events,” said Whiley.

“I’m proud of where we’ve come from. I was in a bad place in Rio which in turn made the partnership not great.

“To come from that to a place now where we’re on the podium and wanting it so badly for each other, I’m really pleased.

“We’re now the strongest we’ve ever been, this was our Games. We didn’t come away with gold but we’ve made a lot of improvements if I looked back five years ago.”

De Groot, who won singles gold to leave her on the brink of a Golden Slam in 2021, was particular impressive and her power proved too much to handle for the British pair.

Van Koot was also fired up having been beaten to singles bronze by Whiley, who won her maiden Paralympic medal flying solo on Friday night.

Shuker went to Centre Court to watch her partner claim victory and despite a quick turnaround, encouraged her to have no regrets.

“With the weather, the scheduling, it’s really tough for Jordanne,” she said. “To get to bed so late and have to prepare again for a big match today, it’s tough.

“I was lucky that I watched her but I went back and I was tucked up in bed.

“She deserved it, she got to the bronze medal of the singles which is a fantastic achievement. You can’t change that.”

Meanwhile, Gordon Reid beat Alfie Hewett in three sets to complete the set of Paralympic medals.

The Scot beat his close friend and doubles partner 6-4 3-6 7-5 in an emotionally charged two hour and 22-minute contest.

It was a repeat of the Rio 2016 final where Reid won gold and Hewett silver, another sign of the pair’s continued dominance of the sport.

“There have to be winners and losers and to be honest it doesn’t feel like I’m a winner today at the moment,” said Reid.

“But I’m sure that as soon as the emotions settle down, I’ll be proud of that fact that I’ve come here and won another singles medal.

“Also I now have the full collection of medals so that’s a cool thing.”

Neither player leaves Tokyo empty-handed with the pair winning men’s doubles silver just 24 hours earlier.

Hewett said: “I’m glad I came back from 5-2 [in the third set]. If I would have lost 6-2 that would have been a bit of a tough one to take.

“I lost myself with my emotions – understandable I think after the last 48 hours and everything going on.

“I managed to regroup and chill out a little bit – and play some of the tennis I wanted to play.

“I’m gutted I didn’t take my opportunities at 6-5, wishing I had maybe been a little bit more patient and composed, but that’s tennis.”

Courtesy of ParalympicsGB 

The 32-year-old added to yesterday’s performance from Beth Munro, who became Britain’s first medallist in a sport which is making its Paralympics debut in Japan.

Truesdale went down 60-14 to fifth seed Guljonoy Naimova of Uzbekistan in the semi-finals having earlier beaten Rajae Akermach in her first contest of the day.

But she picked herself up following the semi-final setback and beat Iranian Rayeheh Shahab 41-31 to take her place on the podium and continue an historic week of taekwondo for ParalympicsGB.

“I am obviously disappointed with the result, but I am delighted I got a bronze medal,” said Truesdale.

“I think it is amazing for the sport in our country so I’m still very pleased with the bronze medal.

“I have beat Naimova many times before, it was just one of those things.

“I allowed her to take more shots on me and just didn’t push through it unfortunately.

“I have the technical and tactical ability, but just didn’t use it on that match.

“I am still pleased. Going back with a bronze medal will create more opportunities for other athletes.

“It has been an amazing experience. It is the biggest competition I will ever do in my life, so I am glad to be a part of it and have secured a medal.”

Joseph Lane was also in action for ParalympicsGB in the men’s K44 +75kg competition.

Despite a brave effort, the London-born fighter suffered defeat in the round of 16 against Russian Paralympic Committee’s Zainutdin Ataev, going down 36-5.

That sent him into the repechage quarter-final where his maiden Paralympic experience came to an end with defeat to Libya’s Mohamed Abidar.

After earning a late call-up as a replacement for the injured Matt Bush, Lane knows he’ll be better for the Paralympic experience.

“I found out the day before we flew out that I was going to be competing. I was in Sainsbury’s and got the call telling me my flight was booked,” he explained.

“It’s been a really good experience, one of the best of my life.

“I was deeply saddened that my teammate Matt wasn’t able to compete.

“I’m pretty upset that I couldn’t bring home the medal for him. We started the journey together and we’ve grown together.

“It was both of our hard work put in to get here. He was the one who qualified, but was gutted for me missing out first time around.

“I’d like to say a big thanks to Matt for all his support and believing in me. I wish him well in his recovery.”

Courtesy of ParalympicsGB 

Laura Sugar (Photo: imagecomms)

Henshaw led home a British 1-2 in the women’s KL2 final, beating teammate Emma Wiggs to the line by just over half a second.

Henshaw, who has silver and bronze in the swimming pool from the last two Games, completed the medal set in style with her first gold thanks to a sensational performance, crossing the line in 50.760 seconds.

“It’s amazing. I feel a real sense of gratitude that I got the opportunity and I was able to race for this medal,” she said.

“Twelve, 18 months ago we weren’t sure if we were going to get this opportunity, so I think the first and biggest thanks needs to go to Japan for putting on an incredible Games in such difficult circumstances and allowing us to showcase our hard work from over the last five years.”

Wiggs, who won VL2 gold on Friday, was delighted to take silver and share the podium with Henshaw, despite being unable to successfully defend her Paralympic title from Rio.

“We don’t talk about medals and stuff, we wanted to show the world what we have got,” she said.

“I think we did that today, I have no idea of the times, but we put on the best performances we could and that is good enough for today.

“I am chuffed to bits for Charlotte and blown away to be next to her on the podium.”

It was also sweet morning for Sugar, who dominated the final of the KL3 to take gold in a Paralympic best time.

The 30-year-old competed in athletics at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and felt she executed the perfect plan after winning in 49.582 seconds – a new personal best.

“It was a bit of a blur really, it is amazing to do that race out there, I knew I had to nail my start and then the racer in me comes out halfway through the race,” she said.

“I only think about nailing the start and it paid off. I am just glad it has all gone to plan.”

There was also a medal for Stuart Wood in the men’s VL3 event, as he crossed the line in third.

Wood made a rapid start and led at the halfway stage but he faded in the second half of the race and was hanging on at the line.

He faced a nervous wait for confirmation of the result and was relieved to see his name beside the bronze medal.

“I was so sure I had lost it at the end there to be honest,” he said.

“I was so nervous and relieved when the result came through.”

Courtesy of ParalympicsGB

Munro took her place on the K44 -58kg podium after Denmark’s Lisa Gjessing’s experience proved to be the difference, winning all three rounds with a total scoreline of 32-14 in the gold-medal contest.

The 28-year-old Munro only took up para taekwondo in 2019 but her unfailing commitment and dedication to the sport in the months since paid dividends at her first Paralympics, progressing through the rounds with convincing wins.

Munro’s silver secured ParalympicsGB a medal in a 16th different sport at Tokyo 2020 – the first time the feat has been achieved by any nation in one single Games.

“The journey that I’ve been on has been so short so to come away with a silver medal as a Paralympian – I’m on cloud nine,” she said.

“I probably haven’t let it sink in until properly now. It’s been such a fast-paced journey. The fact I’ve won a medal, I’ve got goosebumps, the fact that I’m actually here.

“I’m very happy to be here and onwards and upwards to Paris in 2024.

“I’m a little bit disappointed with the outcome of the final.

“I probably let it get away from me in the first round and tried to play catch up the rest of the way, but I’m ecstatic with a silver.”

Munro enjoyed an unstoppable morning, overcoming Nepal’s Palesha Goverdhan 21-8 in the round of 16, before defeating Turkey’s Gamze Gurdal 34-22 in the last eight.

The Liverpudlian wasn’t done yet, seeing off Li Yujie 34-25 in the semi-finals at the start of the final session of the day, but faced her toughest contest against Gjessing for the gold medal in the K44 -58kg class.

A four-time world and three-time European champion, Gjessing was always going to be an incredibly challenging competitor for the ‘newbie’ Munro – but there is still more to come in Paris.

She added: “Lisa’s a fantastic athlete. She’s been doing it for years and having the privilege to come up against her and compete has been fantastic. Kudos for winning. She thoroughly deserved it.

“Next time – that’s all I can say. Today she came out on top so very well done for her and it’s fantastic.

“I’m happy with a silver medal and am targeting Paris 2024.”

Saturday will see Munro’s ParalympicsGB teammates Amy Truesdale and Joseph Lane attempt to match Munro’s podium success, with Truesdale in the K44 +58kg class, and Lane in the men’s K44 +75kg competition.

Courtesy of ParalympicsGB

Whiley already holds two bronze medals alongside Lucy Shuker but now has an individual honour to go alongside doubles success, in her first Games since giving birth to son Jackson.

The 29-year-old has already confirmed that Tokyo 2020 will be her last Paralympics and has made sure she will go out in style with an intense 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-4 win over the Netherlands’ Aniek van Koot.

The tears immediately started flowing for Whiley as the final point was won, revelling in her new slice of ParalympicsGB history.

“I just said to myself at the end, ‘I did it.’ Obviously it’s not gold, but for me, this feels like gold,” she said.

“I’ve never done this before and given everything that’s happened in the last two years, came back, had a baby and struggled with getting back to fitness.

“Before I had Jackson, I was injured 24/7 and to get my body in a state where it can compete at the top level, I’m really proud of myself.

“She gave me everything today, both of us left everything out on the court. We were very neck-and-neck, that match could have gone either way. I just kept fighting.

“I was using my reserve tank, everything emotionally. I’ve never been on a singles podium and that was a really nerve-wracking experience. It’s such an amazing achievement for me personally.

“This is the happiest I’ve ever been in my life.”

But Whiley is far from done there, joining forces with Shuker to face Van Koot and Diede de Groot in Saturday’s gold-medal match.

The two are already guaranteed silver – their best Paralympic result as a pair – but the prospect of gold remains a tantalising one for Whiley.

“Just one more match and I’m going to give it absolutely everything again,” she added.

“She [Van Koot] is going to come at us all guns blazing, I expect. They’re an amazing team, they’re number one in the world for a reason.

“We’ve played them many times, so we know what to expect. We’ve just got to be on our A game.”

A dejected Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett missed out on gold but have another men’s doubles Paralympic silver to celebrate.

The British duo were top seeds in Tokyo but missed out 7-5, 0-6, 7-6(3) to Stéphane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer in a repeat of the Rio 2016 Paralympic final.

Reid and Hewett were up against it following the first set. But they stormed back, winning nine games in a row to hold the advantage in the decider before their French opponents recovered to win gold.

Reid said: “We’re devastated right now; we came here with one job to do and that was to win the gold.

“We both believed we were going to do it, we came in with brilliant form and tried so hard to change it from five years ago.

“It’s going to take a while for it to sink in, I’m just proud of the way we fought to the end. We backed each other up the whole way through the match. We win together, we lose together.”

The two aren’t done yet with one of them guaranteed to leave Tokyo with a Paralympic medal when they face off in Saturday’s men’s singles bronze-medal match.

Hewett added: “It’s a tough one to take. It’s so fresh right now – we couldn’t have asked for better form coming into this event, and some of the matches we’ve played this week have been close to our best tennis.

“I haven’t really thought about the singles yet. The emotion of that match was overwhelming, I think we both feel pretty deflated and flat and rightly so.

“It’ll be tough to pick ourselves up but there is a bronze medal on the line, there’s a lot still at stake.”

Peacock and Clegg joined forces with Ali Smith and Nathan Maguire as ParalympicsGB finished third in the universal 4x100m relay, a performance later upgraded after China were disqualified.

“To be a part of Libby’s last race and get a medal with her is just incredible,” said Peacock, a bronze medallist in the men’s 100m T64.

“She’s not talked about it but she’s run through so much pain at these Games and those were not easy legs for her. She gritted her teeth and got us a medal, I’m so proud.

“It’s a very different event and it showcases the best of everyone. It’s good fun to watch, not something you’d see at your average athletics meet and hopefully something you’ll see more of.”

Clegg paid tribute to guide Chris Clarke and said this medal trumped her double gold in Rio.

“I’m so privileged and proud to be a part of this team and share this moment with these guys,” she said.

“Right now this is my proudest moment – being part of this team.

“I’m going to take some time out but this is my last running competition, unless I dabble in a sports day when my son is at primary school.

“To end my athletics career with this medal is a dream come true.”

Meanwhile, Richard Whitehead won 200m T61 silver behind 19-year-old South African Ntando Mahlangu, with the two sharing a heartfelt moment after crossing the line.

“He’s 19, I’m 45. Age is but a number right? The thing with sport and Paralympic sport, it is not about classification, it is about legacy,” said Whitehead, the gold medallist from London and Rio.

“As well as a medal, it is about representing my country and setting an example for the next generation, guiding them through right and wrong and what Paralympic sport really means.”

Hollie Arnold admitted the conditions, with driving rain making throwing difficult, didn’t help her title defence as she took bronze in the women’s javelin F46.

“They were really tough conditions out there but we are all in the same boat,” said the four-time world champion.

“Even though I’m on the podium, it’s not where I want to be, I wanted the gold. But I have made the podium and I have to be proud of that. It’s been a long five years since Rio, but there is so much more to come which is the exciting thing.

“I’ll come away from this and go through the thought process and come back stronger, I’ll be ready to fight next year.”

Jo Butterfield threw a season’s best 21.77 metres but finished just outside the medals in the women’s club throw F51 in fourth.

Kadeena Cox, already a double gold medallist in cycling’s velodrome in Tokyo, set a season’s best 1:02.51 to qualify for the women’s 400m T38 final, where she’ll be joined by team-mate Smith on Saturday evening.

Courtesy of ParalympicsGB

World champions Unwin and Holl kept up with the leaders around the gruelling Fuji International Speedway course, only briefly dropping off the back of a breakaway made by Katie-George Dunlevy of Ireland and Sweden’s Louise Jannering.

Dunlevy and pilot Eve McCrystal sprinted away in the final stretch to claim their second gold of the Games, while Unwin pipped the Swedes on the line to add silver to their individual pursuit bronze on the track.

“It was a really tough race right from the start,” said 27-year-old Unwin.

“The descents were really hard, but we managed to get down them and once we were in that front group, we just aimed to stick in that group as long as we can and it worked for us.

“We weren’t expecting to come to this Games, so to come away with two medals is just incredible.”

ParalympicsGB teammate Lora Fachie, with her guide Corrine Hall, suffered an early mechanical issue that saw them over two minutes down after the first 13.2km lap.

The pair clawed some of the advantage back eventually joining up with fourth-placed Poland’s Justyna Kiryla to close the gap to 13 seconds with 66km gone, thanks in part to Unwin’s support up front.

However, Fachie could not push on and came home in fifth, four minutes down on the winners after a valiant effort to get back in the race.

In the men’s C4-5 road race, George Peasgood finished sixth, the first C4 rider to cross the line and did so miming a breaststroke action poking fun at the rainy conditions.

The 25-year-old, who has already claimed a silver in the PTS5 triathlon and a bronze in cycling’s C4 men’s time trial in Tokyo, did not have the pace to keep up with the breakaway of C5 riders.

France’s Kevin le Cunff came away with the gold, with Yehor Dementyev and Daniel Abraham Gebru in silver and bronze, as Peasgood finished 5:22 behind the champion.

Peasgood said: “That was pretty good, coming into it I knew everyone else has done the TT as well and I didn’t feel bad coming into the time trial and didn’t feel bad coming into the road race.

“It was just about going out there, getting in the mix, racing a load of C5 guys so just to try and keep in the mix as much as possible and try not to do too much work too early as well.”

Steve Bate and pliot Adam Duggleby were unable to start the men’s B road race having been forced to pull out of the time trial with a heavy crash.

But the pair still leave Tokyo with silver from the track – with every ParalympicsGB cyclist winning at least one medal in these Games.

Courtesy of ParalympicsGB