Posted on Thursday 15th September, 2016

At the start of Day 7 of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games there are already many standout performances. However one highlight would have to be the success of Scott Martlew at Lagoa this morning making the final of the Men’s KL3 Para-Canoe event, after being called up to the New Zealand Paralympic team only two weeks ago.

Paralympic debutant Scott Martlew made history at Lagoa today as he competed in a Para-Canoe, a sport that has also made a Paralympic debut in Rio. Martlew placed 4th in his heat of the Men’s KL3 sending him to the semi-final race. Only one hour later Martlew was on the water for the semi-final. The strong head wind did not seem to faze Martlew as he crossed the finish line in 4th place going all the way to his first ever Paralympic final. His time of 44:28.4 was only 1.4 seconds behind the winner Oliver (GBR).

Today the focus of Para-Cycling moved to the road with Kate Horan first up in the Time Trial C4 (road cycling). Horan finished 8th in a time of 33:32.37.

Last night’s gold medallist Nikita Howarth was in action in the pool early this morning qualifying 7th fastest in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke SB9 in a time of 1:33.70.

The final Kiwi Para-Shooter in action today was Greg Reid at Deodoro Stadium.  Following Reid’s outstanding performance three days ago he had high hopes today but unfortunately did not qualify for the final shooting a total of 596.1 to place 37th in the R3 Mixed 50m Rifle Prone SH1.

While at Marina de Gloria the Sonar crew have completed one of their three races today placing 4th behind Norway, USA and the winning crew Great Britain. The Sonar crew now sit in third place overall. The crew will hope the weather conditions remain favourable to contest the final two races scheduled today.

Kiwis in action later today include:

Paralympian

Sport

Heat

Final

Event

Chris Sharp/Andrew May/Richard Dodson

Para-Sailing

05:05 (start of 5 races during the day)

n/a

Sonar, Races 5 & 6

Fraser Sharp

Para-Cycling

n/a

05:36

Men’s Time Trial C3

Emma Foy/Laura Thompson

Para-Cycling

n/a

05:58

Women’s Time Trial BVI

Amanda Cameron/Hannah van Kampen

Para-Cycling

n/a

05:58

Women’s Time Trial BVI

Stephen Hills

Para-Cycling

n/a

06:20

Men’s Time Trial T1-2

Jessica Hamill

Para-Athletics

n/a

08:30

Women’s Shot Put F34

Nikita Howarth

Para-Swimming

n/a

08:36

Women’s 100m Breaststroke SB9

 Rebecca Dubber  Para-Swimming  n/a  08:54 Women’s 400m Freestyle S7

Liam Malone

Para-Athletics

09:07

Following day – TBC

Men’s 400m T44

Where can kiwis watch our Paralympians in action?

Views can catch the New Zealand Paralympic Team in action at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games by tuning into DUKE on Freeview 13, Sky 23 or online at www.tvnz.co.nz/duke (find daily schedule here: www.tvnz.co.nz/paralympics2016/schedule), by watching the daily highlights programme on TV1 at 9.30pm, or by visiting www.tvnz.co.nz/ondemand/paralympics or https://attitudelive.com/rio-2016-paralympics to watch on demand. Results will also be shown on ONE News, Breakfast and Seven Sharp. Additionally, coverage can be found by visiting the Paralympics website: www.paralympic.org.