2016 Rio Paralympics: Timothy Diskin, Brayden Davidson win gold as Aussies move up medal tally

TIMOTHY Disken stretched Australia’s reign in the S9 100m to a fourth straight Paralympics, winning the second of the nation’s two gold medals on day five in Rio.

Timothy Disken and Brenden Hall went one-two in the S9 100m freestyle.

TIMOTHY Disken stretched Australia’s reign in the S9 100m to a fourth straight Paralympic Games, winning the second of the nation’s two gold medals on day five of competition in Rio.

The 19-year-old Victorian seized the vacated crown left by three-time champion and Australia’s greatest Paralympian Matt Cowdrey, extending the country’s domination that began in Athens in 2004.

Disken edged out compatriot Brenden Hall in a powerful Aussie double.

“The last 35m stung a bit but I just put my head down and tried to focus on myself,” Disken said.

Timothy Disken and Brenden Hall went one-two in the S9 100m freestyle.

“It’s fantastic to go one-two, especially for Junior (Hall) to go his fastest time since world champs. We both pushed each other to the limit and it’s amazing to go one-two.”

Disken’s breakthrough Paralympic title, in his Games debut, added to the athletics team’s first gold medal of 2016, won by Adelaide long-jumper Brayden Davidson.

Davidson’s victory was the highlight of another day of track-and-field near misses at the Olympic Stadium.

Bundaberg boy Rheed McCracken also claimed silver in the T34 100m, matching his result as a 15-year-old in London four years ago.

Popular wheelchair tennis figure Dylan Alcott qualified for the gold medal match of the men’s quad singles after storming to a 6-0 6-3 semi-final win over South Africa’s Lucas Sithole.

It took Alcott just 51 minutes to steamroll the world No. 3 to set up successive gold-medal playoffs, He is already in the quad doubles decider, paired with Heath Davidson.

Alcott said the procession was unexpected.

“The last two times we’ve played it’s been three sets and I was really nervous heading in but when we started I just stuck to the game plan, I didn’t make any errors, and the Paralympics is a different beast isn’t it?” Alcott said.

Dylan Alcott is through to the men’s quad tennis final.

On the first day of sailing competition, Aussie duo Liesl Tesch and Dan Fitzgibbon mounted an ominous defence of their Paralympic title at Marina da Gloria.

The London SKUD18 gold medallists navigated strong tides to finish first in the opening race and second in race two, giving them a three-point lead over Canada and Poland.

“We had a good first day,” Fitzgibbon said.

“We’re happy to get that one out of the way.

“I think it’s going to be a tough week, so we just have to be prepared for that. There’s a lot to think about out there, so you’ve got to keep your head together.”

Australia remains locked in a 10-nation battle for fifth spot on the overall medal tally.

With seven golds, the Aussies sit sixth overall, square with neighbour New Zealand and trailing host country Brazil by two.

Originally published as 2016 Rio Paralympics: Timothy Diskin, Brayden Davidson win gold as Aussies move up medal tally