Dame Sarah Storey made history by securing a record-equalling 16th Paralympic gold medal in Tokyo to tie Mike Kenny’s all-time British record.
The cyclist dominated the women’s C5 time trial at the Fuji International Speedway and won by 92 seconds from teammate Crystal Lane-Wright for her second gold of the 2020 Games to become ParalympicsGB’s most successful athlete of all-time.
Storey now has the chance to take the golds
record outright by winning the most precious metal for a 17th time, and a 28th total medal, in Thursday’s road race but for now she’s revelling in the latest achievement of a sensational career.
“I never set out on this journey to be Britain’s greatest Paralympian but to match the best man and to have more other medals is just a dream come true,” she said.
“Sweet 16!! Can I be 16 again?! As I said the other day, I would never have imagined getting to 15.
“It is amazing. It was one of the most perfect days today, the conditions were perfect, it was not too hot. No wind. Though I like it when it is windy.
“The course is super quick. The corners were really grippy and I rode a really good line and carried speed. I got caught up in a bit of traffic at times perhaps as I was going a bit quicker than they had anticipated.
"I am just so chuffed. I have been preparing for this for such a long time. There have been so many parts to it, both my bike and physical preparations."
Storey has little time to reflect on her latest masterclass and must now prepare for the C4-5 road race in just 48 hours’ time.
She is one of 16 riders in the race and will again face stiff competition from teammate Lane-Wright.
“I need to have a think now about the road race. I take it one race at a time. The road race is over six laps of a slightly longer course than the one we had this morning,” she added.
“I have obviously ridden it a few times. I will need my tactical head on. There are a number of girls that are incredibly well positioned, who race incredibly well.”
Storey completed three laps of the 8km course in 36:08.90, while Lane-Wright again had to settle for silver in a repeat of the British one-two from the 3000m individual pursuit in the velodrome on day one.
Lane-Wright, who clocked 37:40.89, finished a further 54 seconds ahead of Germany’s bronze medallist Kerstin Brachtendorf.
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