2016 Rio Paralympics: Lakeisha Patterson wins first Aussie gold with victory in S8 400m freestyle

THE Queensland teen who claimed Australia’s first gold medal of the Rio 2016 Paralympics concedes her win was a “bitter-sweet” demolition of her childhood idol.

Lakeisha Patterson knocked off hot favourite Jessica Long to win in Rio.

THE Queensland teen who claimed Australia’s first gold medal of the Rio 2016 Paralympics concedes her world-record swim was a “bitter-sweet” demolition of her childhood idol.

Lakeisha Patterson sparked Australia’s bold push for a top-five medal haul with a stunning victory in the S8 400m that ended an era for US legend and three-time defending champion Jessica Long.

The 17-year-old debutant finished the opening day of competition as the country’s sole gold medallist.

Barely an hour earlier, cyclist Sue Powell became Australia’s first medallist, taking silver in her final of the women’s 3km individual pursuit.

Bronzes to long-jumper Carlee Beattie and 100m wheelchair sprinter Angie Ballard at the Olympic Stadium left Australia 10th overall on the medal tally.

Lakeisha Patterson can’t quite believe her gold medal success.

But the first day was all about golden girl Patterson, classified through early onset Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and cerebral palsy.

She clocked a time of 4min 40.33s, shaving .11s off the world record owned by the event’s long-time matriarch, Long.

“It’s quite amazing. I didn’t think my first Games would end up like this,” Patterson said.

“If someone told me a year ago this is where I would be, I would’ve said that’s a joke.

“It’s really special and hopefully I can follow suit for the rest of the week.”

The record blitz was almost 25s faster than Patterson’s previous best before the meet, and almost 17s quicker than her heat swim.

Patterson’s triumph ended the golden run of Russian-born Long, 24, who was has been a Paralympics sensation since her debut as a 12-year-old in Athens in 2004.

She has 12 career Paralympic gold medals, and before this event had never lost a 400m final at the Games.

“Jess is an amazing girl and fierce competitor and to be able to get past her in the end was really quite bitter sweet,” Patterson said.

“She’s been my idol and to be able to race alongside her and finish on top is amazing.

Carlee Beattie took home a bronze medal.

“(After the race) she said she was really proud of me and she can’t believe how well I’ve done. When I had a moment to myself I thought, ‘I feel quite bad, she’s quite well known and has achieved so many great things, and I’ve come out of nowhere’.”

At the velodrome, Powell had a chance to match her achievement in London by opening Australia’s gold account.

The ACT rider led the 3km pursuit for the opening 500m but could not fight back when US rival Shawn Morelli powered up.

“We wanted to put the pressure on just to see if I could hold it and whether she could respond,” Powell said.

“I couldn’t quite hold on at the end there but there was nothing more I could do. To come out here and get a medal – a silver medal – I couldn’t be happier.

“Well, maybe a little bit happier.”

Originally published as 2016 Rio Paralympics: Lakeisha Patterson wins first Aussie gold with victory in S8 400m freestyle