Unstoppable kiwi athlete Devon Briggs has claimed the double whammy of a gold medal and a new World Record at the Para Cycling Track World Championships in Brazil.
Competing in Rio this morning, Briggs smashed the World Record in his C3 Kilo qualifier, and then bettered his own World Record in the final with a time of 01:05:259.
An elated Briggs describes it as an amazing day: “I came into the day wanting to get the world record and we smashed it out of the park. And to come in again tonight, breaking my own world record and getting rainbows on top of that, I’m so stoked.
“I’m over the moon with joy, I just can’t quite comprehend what’s happened today. It’s been an amazing day so far.”
The excitement didn’t stop there, with Paralympian #225 Anna Taylor showing her experience in the Women’s C4 Scratch Race. Taylor delivered a strong tactical performance to cross the line fourth. Crucially, this secured her a podium for the Omnium. The Omnium is based on points earned across two endurance events and two sprint events. By demonstrating her versatility across the disciplines, Taylor earned a bronze Omnium medal.
Day 4 also saw C4 athletes Ben Westenberg and Nick Blincoe compete in the C4 Kilo qualifier, missing a place in the final with 10th and 16th place finishes.
Tomorrow morning will see Paralympian #222 Nicole Murray contest the C5 Scratch Race, while Devon Briggs enters the same event in the C3 class. Briggs, Taylor and Blincoe will also compete in the Team Sprint.
Viewers can follow the action live – https://paralympics.org.nz/news/catch-the-kiwis-at-the-2024-para-cycling-track-world-championships/
