2024 Paralympic Games, day 4: What you missed in Paris while you were sleeping

Australia has enjoyed its most successful day of the Paralympic Games yet, with the rowers leading the way and a swim star claiming a medal after overcoming a disqualification scare.

NANTERRE, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 01: Bronze medalist Grant Patterson and silver medalist Ahmed Kelly of Team Australia after the Men's 150m Individual Medley - SM3. Picture: Adam Pretty/Getty Images

Australia enjoyed its most successful day of the Paralympic Games in Paris.

Here’s everything you might have missed from day four.

BALLARD STILL WANTS MORE

Australian para-athletics star Angie Ballard has clear goals surrounding what she see wants to see for the Paralympic movement by Brisbane 2032.

Competing at her seventh Paralympic Games in Paris, the 42-year-old said while the growth has been significant since her debut there’s so much room for growth.

While she “loves racing”, being involved away from the track is another reason she is still competing.

Angie Ballard (2L) says there is still plenty of room for growth in the Paralmpic movement.

“There’s so much more we can do in this space and so many more Paralympic athletes shine,” she said.

“I am a big fan of anyone and everyone being able access sport, whether you want to be casual, or you want to go away with Paralympics. I don’t think you should have to decide before you get involved.

“We still need more people who have first hand experience making decisions that affect us. And that’s only just starting to change a little bit.

“I hope by listening to athletes and our experiences over many, many years we can get even more equality and more inclusion, not just the pretty look of inclusion, but actual inclusion by Brisbane 2032.”

Ballard was spurred on by the crowd at the Stade de France when she took to the track in the women’s 800m T53 final.

She finished sixth and is now looking ahead to the 400m later in the week.

“These guys are shouting louder than anyone,” she said.

“It was good to get a race out. 400 is my preferred race

“Hopefully I can sharpen up my start a little bit between now and Thursday.

“It’s a bit hard sometimes when you haven’t raced in an environment like that for a while.”

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FROM DISQUALIFIED TO SILVER

Ahmed Kelly survived a disqualification scare in the heats to eventually go onto win a silver medal in the 150m individual medley final SM3.

He was originally disqualified after officials deemed he swam two legs of breaststroke when rules state competitors must swim three different strokes during a race.

On appeal, he was reinstated and went onto win a silver medal ahead of great mate and fellow Aussie Grant “Scooter” Patterson in the final.

Silver medalist Ahmed Kelly and bronze medalist Grant Patterson of Team Australia. Picture: Adam Pretty/Getty Images

DAYNA CREES CAPS RAPID RISE WITH JAVELIN BRONZE

Australian javelin thrower Dayna Crees is a Paralympic medalist just two years after debuting for her country.

Crees, 22, threw 17.65 to claim the bronze medal and set a new personal best in a performance which required patience at the Stade De France in the early hours of Monday morning AEST.

The Victorian was the second last competitor to throw in the women’s F34 javelin which took almost two-and-a-half hours to complete in warm conditions.

It’s a remarkable achievement for an athlete who also holds several Australian youth long jump records.

HISTORY FOR OUR ROWERS

Australia has enjoyed a historic day at the para-rowing.

Nikki Ayers and Jed Altschwager combined to win the PR3 mixed double sculls, the first time the event has been held at the Paralympics.

It was also Australia’s first gold medal in para-rowing at any Paralympic Games.

The pair crossed the line in a time of 7:26.74.

The duo share a special relationship with Ayers having moved to Adelaide so they could train together more regularly.

It came shortly after Erik Horrie was promoted to the bronze medal position in the men’s single scull PR1.

He had crossed the line in fourth but his Italian rival was disqualified from third for using a communications device during the race.

It was the fourth Paralympic medal of Horrie’s career after three silvers in a row at previous events.

In the PR3 mixed coxed four, Australia finished the race in fifth to round out the day.

Gold for Nikki Ayers and Jed Altschwager. Picture: Naomi Baker/Getty Images

BOCCIA STARS THROUGH

Australian Boccia stars Dan Michel and Jamieson Leeson have won through to their respective gold medal matches.

Michel, the world’s number one ranked player, progressed after overcoming Greek opponent Grigorios Polychronidis 6-1 in their BC3 men’s semi-final.

“Can’t believe I will be at a gold-medal match at the Paralympic Games. It’s crazy,” Michel said.

Leeson outclassed Brazilian Evani Calado 7-1 in the women’s BC3 competition.

LOVELL’S UNFORGETTABLE DEBUT, HEARTBREAK FOR PERRIS

Mali Lovell’s Paralympic Games debut has turned into a moment she will never forget.

The rising para-athletics star secured a bronze medal in the women’s 200m T36 final on Sunday night AEST.

The 20-year-old recorded a time of 29.82s, narrowly beating Argentina’s Araceli Rotela across the line.

Unfortunately, Chad Perris wasn’t able to join her on the podium in the men’s 100m T13 final.

Chasing the second bronze of his career, Perris missed out by five-thousandths of a second.

Mali Lovell claimed bronze on her Paralympic debut. Picture: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Chad Perris missed out on a medal by 0.005 seconds. Picture: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

STEELERS TO PLAY FOR BRONZE

They’ll be disappointed but Australia’s wheelchair rugby team still has a shot at a medal.

The Steelers will play for bronze after going down to Japan in heartbreaking fashion.

Ryley Batt’s try with 1:04 left on the clock put the Aussies ahead before the Japanese scored just seconds later.

Eventually the game went to overtime where Japan prevailed.

HOW THE AUSSIES FARED

ARCHERY

Men’s Individual Compound, 1/8 Elimination: Jonathon Milne, lost 142-144

ATHLETICS

Women’s Discus Throw, Final F64: Sarah Edmiston, seventh

Men’s 100m, Round 1 T34: Rheed McCracken, qualified for final

Men’s 100m, Round 1 T13: Chad Perris, fourth

Men’s 400m, Round 1 T54: Luke Bailey, seventh in heat with a personal best

Women’s 200m, Final T36: Mali Lovell, bronze

Women’s 800m, Final T53: Angela Ballard, sixth

Women’s Javelin Throw, Final F34: Dayna Crees,

BOCCIA

Men’s Individual BC3: Daniel Michel, into the gold medal match

Women’s Individual BC3: Jamieson Leeson, into the gold medal match

CYCLING (TRACK)

Men’s B 1000m Tandem Time Trial: Kane Perris, fourth in final

Women’s B 3000m Tandem Pursuit: Jessica Gallagher, seventh in qualifying

Women’s C5 3000m Individual Pursuit: Alana Forster, fifth in qualifying

Open C1-5 750m Team Sprint: Gordon Allan, Korey Boddington and Alistair Donohoe, bronze

ROWING

Men’s Single Scull, Final A PR1: Erik Horrie, bronze

Mixed Double Scull, Final A PR3: Nikki Ayers; Jed Altschwager, gold

Mixed Coxed Four, Final A PR3: Fifth

SHOOTING

Mixed R3 10m Air Rifle Prone, Qualifying SH1: Anton Zappelli, 15th

SWIMMING

Men’s 100m Freestyle S10: Thomas Gallagher, bronze; Rowan Crothers, silver; Alex Saffy, seventh

Women’s 100m Freestyle S10: Poppy Wilson, sixth in heat

Men’s 150m Individual Medley SM3: Ahmed Kelly, silver; Grant Patterson, bronze

Mixed 4x100m Freestyle Relay S14: Silver

TABLE TENNIS

Women’s Singles, Wheelchair Round of 16: Daniela Di Toro, lost 0-3

Men’s Singles, Wheelchair Round of 32 MS3: Junjian Chen, lost 0-3

Men’s Singles, Standing Round of 32 MS8: Nathan Pellissier, lost 1-3

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

Men’s, Preliminary: Australia 69 lost to USA 76

WHEELCHAIR RUGBY

Semi-Final: Australia 51 lost to Japan 52

Re-live the action from day four at the Paris Paralympic Games in our blog below