Australian Paralympic Team co-captain Curtis McGrath confirmed his position as a legend of Paralympic sport, winning a third consecutive gold medal in the KL2 kayak sprint, one of three medals won by the Para-canoe team competing on Day 10.

Meanwhile, James Turner gained his redemption, sprinting to victory in a thrilling 100m T36 final.

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Canoe 

All three members of the Australian canoe team won medals on the first day of competition, led by Curtis McGrath, who secured a crushing win in the men’s KL2.

Dylan Littlehales took silver in the men’s KL3 and Susan Seipel won bronze in the Va’a VL2.

McGrath, the former army combat engineer who became a bilateral leg amputee in an IED explosion in Afghanistan, had friends, family and army colleagues in support.

“They were the ones carrying my stretcher and putting the tourniquets on and literally saving my life,” he said. 

“[They’re] all there and they’re a part of that journey of recovery and rehabilitation. In the traumatic moment of that blast they were with me and they’re still here supporting me and it’s very special having them here.” 

Swimming 

Australia’s swimming program came to a close with a brilliant silver medal in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay 34pts at La Defense Arena and indications of a strong future for Australian Para-swimming.

The relay team of Rowan Crothers, Alexa Leary, Callum Simpson and Chloe Osborn registered 4:01.90 behind the team from Italy.

It was the second silver medal of the day, after Col Pearse touched second in the men’s 200m individual medley SM10.

"To be able to walk away with some silverware, it just means so much,” Pearse said. “To those kids with disabilities from regional areas, be patient and love who you are."

Athletics 

Runner James Turner claimed his second gold medal of the Games with a stirring final burst to snatch victory in the 100m (T36).

It was sweet win for Turner, who let the 100m slip at Tokyo 2020 when he missed the start.

“I’ve been working really hard with Iryna (Dvoskina, coach) to fix up my start–that’s where I lost it in Tokyo when someone moved beside me,” Turner said.

“But I followed my own race plan today, not thinking about what the other athletes were doing.”

Judo

Australia’s sole judoka, Taylor Gosens, made her debut Paralympic appearance on the tatami at Champ-de-Mars Arena, competing in the women’s +70 kg J2 quarter finals against Cuba’s Sheyla Hernandez Estupinan, ranked No.2 in the world.

Gosens had another opportunity an hour later in the repechage, where she faced world No.3 Kazakhstan’s Zarina Raifova, who scored an ippon to end the battle.

“It was rough, but that first fight is just judo, it can be one small thing,” Gosens said. “When I put my arm over her, I heard the sewing on her uniform breaking and it started to rip and then she threw me and I was like ‘dammit I was so close.”

Cycling 

Three Australians competed on the final day of road cycling at Clichy sous Bois, with Darren Hicks finishing 13^th in the men’s C1-3 road race, Gordon Allan finishing 22^nd and Amanda Reid 13^th in the women’s C1-3 road race.

“That was a tough day on the bike,” said Hicks, who earlier in the week claimed third place in the C2 time trial. “I rode both the road race and road time trial really well and I just hoped for a fairy tale that I didn’t quite fulfil.

“We’ll re-evaluate and maybe come back for LA (Los Angeles in 2028) and who knows that might be where the fairy tale happens.” 

Equestrian 

A trio of Australian riders have distinguished themselves in the final event at stunning Versailles, the individual freestyle.

Lisa Martin, Stella Barton and Bridget Murphy each performed beautifully in their classifications, highlighting communication and connection between horse and rider alongside intricate choreography and personality.

“The atmosphere was incredible and I absolutely loved it out there,” Barton said.

“Thank you to him and to everybody who helped to get me to my first Paralympic Games.”

Table tennis 

Australia’s largest Para-table tennis team since 1968 as finished its campaign with two gold and three bronze medals. On the final day of the tournament, Lina Lei (WS9) and Lin Ma (MS9) were both defeated in their singles semi-finals earning them bronze medals.

Lei was defeated 3-2 by China’s Guiyan Xiong. Ma fell agonisingly short of progressing to the gold medal match when he lost to French opponent, Lucas Didier 3-2 in a battle littered with long rallies, big swinging forehands, and a boisterous crowd that was urging a home win.

“It’s tough in the biggest environment,” Australia’s head coach Alois Rosario said. “Lucas played unbelievably today, but Ma is used to big occasions and used to big matches.”

Powerlifting

Ben Wright delivered a strong performance in the men’s up to 88kg powerlifting category, securing a seventh-place finish in Australia’s first appearance in the sport since London 2012.

Wright lifted 184kg on his first attempt, 192kg on his second, and finished with 195kg on his third and final attempt.

China’s reigning Paralympic and world champion, Panpan Yan, dominated with a winning press of 242kg.

Wright said: "I assumed I would be 10th, ninth, or eighth, so coming away with seventh is one hundred percent better than I thought.”