Dan wins medal at his sixth Games in a row
COUNTY STARS WIN GOLD AND BRONZE AT THE TOKYO PARALYMPICS
DAN Greaves became the first Brit to win an athletics medal at six straight Paralympics – but admits he needs to ask his wife if he is allowed to go for a seventh, writes Charlie Bennett, of Sportsbeat, in Tokyo.
The Anstey discus thrower netted bronze in the F64 final thanks to a best throw of 53.56 metres in tough conditions.
Greaves, who won his first medal in Sydney 21 years ago, now has one gold, two silvers and three bronze medals but is unsure if he will add to the tally at Paris 2024.
“I will have to ask my wife. It is all down to her,” said the Loughborough University alumnus.
“It is just three years so not too far to Paris now. I have the Commonwealth Games to focus on next summer and then we’ll see.
“This is what it is all about for me. I thought I had maybe had my day but it is nice to walk away with a medal from another Games.
“I have been through some tough times and it is really hard to describe the dark moments.
“I was told I could crack my hip if I keep training at the intensity I was and I didn’t really fancy a replacement.
“I want to be able to play with my kids and do everything a dad should, so I took six months off in 2019.
“My body is now able to cope with the load it is given and I have fallen back in love with it.”
Meanwhile, Daniel Pembroke threw a huge Paralympic record to win Great Britain’s first gold medal in the men’s F13 javelin.
The 29-year-old, who is coached by Loughborough University’s head throws coach, Dave Turner, recorded a best distance of 69.52m to book his place in the winners’ enclosure.
His mammoth throw was more than enough to see him finish well clear of Iran’s Ali Pirouj (64.30m) and Spain’s Hector Cabrera Llacer (61.13m) who claimed silver and bronze respectively.
“This is the best day of my life. So many people helped me to get to this point,” said an elated Pembroke.
“My dad, my beautiful family, my wife Martina. I couldn’t have done it without you all. “I knew deep down I could win. I have wanted it for so long. I was quite anxious going into it but the third throw I gave it my all.
“I hope I’ve got the energy to lift that massive gold medal over my head!”
Elsewhere, Diseworth’s Emma Wiggs underlined her canoe gold medal credentials with a storming qualification at the Paralympics.
Wiggs made her Games debut in sitting volleyball at London 2012 and claimed canoe sprint kayak gold in Rio.
She’s aiming for a double medal bid here, with the va’a Single 200m her first target after a Paralympic record in qualifying.
“I’m chuffed to bits. I delivered a race I am really proud of and hopefully we can build from here,” she said.
“I am realistic about where things are. There is no extra pressure. I am just excited about the depth of talent in our team.”
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