GB’s Ben Sandilands storms to 1500m Paralympic gold and new world record

Ben Sandilands stormed to a Paralympic gold medal and a new world record in the men’s T20 1500m at the Stade de France.

The 21-year-old from Kirkcaldy surged home in 3min 45.40sec, beating the previous world record by 0.10sec and finishing more than four seconds ahead of his nearest rival, Portugal’s Sandro Baessa. The USA’s Michael Brannigan, the previous world record holder and Rio Paralympic champion, finished third.

The medal rush at the stadium continued 40 minutes later when Marcus Perrineau Daley surged to a silver in the men’s T53 100m. The 32-year-old, who was paralysed in a motorbike accident at the age of 25, thundered off the line but could not hold off Belgium’s Maxime Carabin, who came through to take the gold.

There was, however, disappointment for Jonathan Broom-Edwards, the reigning world champion and Toyko gold medal winner in the men’s T64 high jump. Broom-Edwards bowed out early on after failing go beyond 1.89m, well below his personal best.

Friday could prove a golden day for the British team in Paris, with medal hopes across a number of sports including athletics, tennis, table tennis, cycling, swimming and fencing.