Cycling dominance keeps Australia high on medal table

GOLD

Emily Petricola (cycling, women’s C4 3,000m individual pursuit) - Not content with setting a new world record in her heat, Petricola defended her Paralympic gold medal in style by catching Kiwi rider Anna Taylor with one lap remaining.

Korey Boddington (cycling, men’s C4-5 1000m time trial) - Boddington set a Paralympic record in his heat and just edged out Britain’s Blaine Hunt to win Australia’s second gold of the Games with a time of 1:01.650.

SILVER

Jessica Gallagher (cycling, women’s B 1000m time trial) - Gallagher and her pilot Caitlin Ward were second-last to race bUT they were able to force their way into the podium places with a time 1:07.533

WHAT ELSE HAPPENED

* Archery - Australia duo Ameera Lee and Jonathan Milne passed through to the quarter-finals in their respective ties. Competing in the women’s individual compound singles, Lee saw off Indonesia’s Nur Alim 135-133, while Milne downed Yuya Oe of Japan 147-142.

* Rowing - Nikki Ayers and Jed Altschwager (AUS) breezed through to the final by winning their heat in the 2000m PR3 mixed double sculls. The Australian duo recorded the best time of any side across Friday’s two qualifiers by finishing in 7min11sec.

* Wheelchair rugby - Australia will face a do-or-die clash with Denmark on Saturday after bouncing back with a 55-53 win over hosts France. The Steelers lost their opener to Great Britain but can seal a finals berth by beating the Danes.

* Wheelchair basketball - The Rollers suffered a second-straight loss to open their tournament, falling to a 68-60 defeat at the hands of Spain. Australia face reigning gold medallists USA on Sunday morning (local time).

* Swimming - A disappointing day in the pool for Australia after an impressive first day. Keira Stephens (women’s S9 100m breaststroke) came fourth, while Tim Hodge finished fifth in the men’s S8 breaststroke.

WHO SAID WHAT?

* “Did you notice how heavy this gold medal is? I think it’s heavier than my bike!” - Korey Boddington better hope he has a sufficient baggage allowance on his flight home.

* “Today the Taliban are in power in my country... I hope the world does not forget the women and girls of Afghanistan.” - After winning bronze in para-taekwondo as part of the Paralympic Refugee Team, Zakia Khudadadi left a powerful message.

MEDAL TABLE (after day two)

1. China - Gold: 12, Silver: 9, Bronze 4. Total: 25.

2. Great Britain - Gold: 6, Silver: 6, Bronze 3. Total: 15.

3. Brazil - Gold: 4, Silver: 1, Bronze 6. Total: 11.

4. Netherlands - Gold: 4, Silver: 1, Bronze 1. Total: 6.

5. Italy - Gold: 3, Silver: 2, Bronze 8. Total: 13.

6. Australia - Gold: 3, Silver: 2, Bronze 2. Total: 7