‘I nearly died’: Aussie’s emotional gold as swimming stars take home medals

Swimmer Tom Gallagher has claimed a Paralympics gold medal three years after a near-death emergency unfolded in Tokyo.

It was an emotional win. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Australia has won its first gold at the Paralympic Games, with Tom Gallagher claiming the 50m freestyle in the S10 category three years after a near-death emergency in Tokyo.

Gallagher had won bronze in the men’s 400m freestyle S10 in Tokyo but wasn’t able to step onto the podium to collect his medal after suffering a medical episode that almost cost him his life.

The Australian swimmer explained after his gold medal triumph that he had a “massive” pancreas attack which landed him in hospital for nearly a month.

Gold Medallist Tom Gallagher. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

“I nearly died,” Gallagher said, per Australian Associated Press.

“I luckily had a surgery a few years ago now that’s fixed it all and I’ve managed to turn into a sprinter.

“Pancreatitis is extremely painful, my heart rate went up to 240bpm and all my internal organs started shutting down.

“I wasn’t able to go on the podium that night but tonight makes up for it.”

The 25-year-old was able to celebrate his crowning moment alongside Australian teammate Rowan Crothers, who finished the race with bronze and won gold at the Tokyo Paralympics.

Thomas Gallagher and Bronze medalist Rowan Crothers. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

In total, Australia won four medals on day one of the Paralympics, with fellow swimmers Brenden Hall and Lakeisha Patterson claiming the nation’s first two medals in quick succession.

Hall won bronze in the men’s S9 400m freestyle to add to his existing collection of six Paralympic medals while Patterson came up just short of gold, having led the S9 400m freestyle race until Hungary’s Zsofia Konkoly passed her on the final lap.

The 25-year-old, who won gold at Rio and Tokyo, said it had been a “really tough year” in her post-race interview with Channel Nine.

“I know a lot of people probably had a lot of expectations on me tonight to bring home that gold,” she said.

“I gave it everything I could and I’m really proud of myself for that performance.

“I know you see the tears, but... honestly it’s been a really tough year. I had an injury at the start of the year on my neck.

“I don’t like to make excuses ever, but this year has been one of the most physical and mentally challenging years... to be able to be here, to be able to breathe for eight laps swimming is a pretty big deal.”

Silver Medallist Lakeisha Patterson poses on the podium. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Elsewhere, there were a few close calls in the pool too with Ben Hance finishing just 0.40 seconds away from the bronze medallist in the men’s 100m butterfly S14.

Hance, who won gold in the 100m backstroke S14 at Tokyo, said he was “gutted” after the race.

Meanwhile, Alexa Leary set a world record in her heat of the 50m freestyle S9 event, only to have it broken a few minutes later and went on to finish sixth.

In other news, Paige Leonhardt came seventh in the women’s S14 100m butterfly.

HEARTBREAKING THRILLER FOR AUSSIE WHEELCHAIR RUGBY TEAM

Elsewhere, Australia went down in a thrilling opening game to their wheelchair rugby campaign as Aaron Phipps scored 25 tries for defending champions Great Britain in a 58-55 win.

Phipps was a crucial part of the Tokyo Paralympics success and made vital contributions at the end of the first and second quarters as Britain started their Group B campaign in the sport nicknamed “murderball” strongly.

“It’s an amazing start but nothing’s happened yet,” Phipps told AFP.

“Australia are a class act, we’ve battled with them for years. We still have to remember this is the start, so it’s start as you mean to go on.”

Australia are now likely to fight with hosts France and Denmark, who play later on Thursday, for a place in the semi-finals.

“GB played unreal,” Australia’s Ryley Batt said.

Stuart Robinson of Team Great Britain is challenged by Ryley Batt. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

“The difference was the last goals. Out of the four quarters, you score last goals, Great Britain got three of them, we got one, and Great Britain won by three points,” he added.

Phipps opened the scoring 15 seconds after the tip-off at the Champs de Mars arena, a venue in the shadows of the Eiffel Tower and which will also host para judo.

Britain led 14-13 at the end of the opening eight-minute quarter and held on to a one-point advantage with a 28-27 score at half-time.

With one quarter to play, they were 43-40 up after Phipps had scored his 21st try.

He then helped close out the win for Britain with his final try of the game with less than 30 seconds left.

Two-time Paralympic champion Batt scored 36 tries in a losing effort, while Phipps’ team-mate Stuart Robinson had 23.

In other news, Australia’s men’s basketball team the Rollers went down to the Netherlands 66-55.

PARALYMPICS MEDAL TALLY

1. China — 4 gold, 1 silver, 0 bronze, 5 total

2. Great Britain — 2, 3, 1, 6

3. Italy — 2, 2, 5, 9

4. Netherlands — 2, 0, 0, 2

5. France — 1, 2, 0, 3

6. Australia — 1, 1, 2, 4

Originally published as ‘I nearly died’: Aussie’s emotional gold as swimming stars take home medals