Great Britain’s Emma Wiggs etched her name in history by taking the first Paralympic gold in the va’a discipline of paracanoe courtesy.
Wiggs, who was born in Harrow and grew up in Watford, powered home in a personal best time of 57.028 seconds to claim glory in the VL2 classification, 4.453 seconds ahead of Australia’s Susan Seipel.
The former Watford Grammar School for Girls student took control of her final from the start at Sea Forest Waterway and let out a roar of emotion after crossing the line before repeatedly punched the water.
GOLD for @emwiggsy 🥇
— ParalympicsGB (@ParalympicsGB) September 3, 2021
Incredible display from Emma who becomes the first ever Paralympic Champion in the VL2 event!#ImpossibleToIgnore #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/HEUj2PxlZN
Wiggs lost the use of her legs after contracting a mystery virus while sheep-shearing in the Blue Mountains in Australia.
She is also the reigning Paralympic champion in the KL2 class and will defend that title on Saturday, with GB world champion Charlotte Henshaw a major rival.
Paracanoe – which consists of sprint races over a 200m straight line course – debuted at Rio 2016, with the va’a boat introduced for the Tokyo Games, joining kayak competitions.
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