One more glorious day for GB in Rio

Just one year after making her international debut, 16-year-old Jess Stretton led a historic British clean sweep of archery medals in Rio yesterday. Stretton, who will start sixth form when she returns home, beat team-mate Jo Frith 137-124 in the W1 final after Britain’s Vicky Jenkins had claimed bronze.

Frith then combined with John Walker to win W1 mixed team gold. “It’s still sinking in a little bit, but it’s been an amazing ride and I’ve really enjoyed it,” said Stretton.

“This is an amazing experience and an amazing opportunity. I guess I was pretty nervous – I felt like I was taking a step for the youth, showing them that it can be done and it will be done. We’ve had a podium like this at the Europeans and it’s just the most amazing feeling ever to do it at the Paralympics.”

Born with cerebral palsy, Stretton only began taking archery seriously last year before breaking the world record at a competition in Dubai.

Juggling her sporting aspirations with her GCSE studies, Stretton returned to school after that and was greeted by her teaching saying: “Congratulations, but have you got your homework?”

There was another bumper crop of British medals in the swimming pool with both Ollie Hynd and Hannah Russell picking up their second gold of the Games.

Hynd smashed the world record as he added the SM8 200m individual medley gold to his Rio collection, while Russell won the S12 50m freestyle.

Just six weeks after celebrating her 13th birthday, there was also a medal for Britain’s youngest Paralympian in Rio with Abby Kane picking up S13 backstroke silver.