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05th Sep 2021

Team GB finish second at the Tokyo Paralympics

Charlie Herbert

They added two more medals on the final day of the games.

Team GB’s Paralympians have finished second in the medal table at the Tokyo Paralympics, winning medals in all but one of the sports they competed in.

On Sunday, which was the final day of competition, Team GB won two more bronze medals to round of their games as the men’s wheelchair basketball team beat Spain in the third place match while Krysten Coombs took bronze in the men’s SH6 badminton singles.

It means that GB finish the games with 41 golds, 38 silvers and 45 bronzes, giving them a magnificent total of 124 medals (and they are ALL worth celebrating.) China topped the medal table with 96 golds, 60 silvers and 51 bronzes.

Team GB won medals in 18 of the 19 sports they competed in. Shooting was the only sport that a British athlete didn’t win a medal in.

The two bronzes on the final day were a brilliant way to finish for Team GB as well.

Following the disappointment of their semi final defeat to Japan, the GB men’s wheelchair basketball team, who had been one of the favourites for gold before the games, put in a gutsy performance to beat Spain 68-58 in the bronze medal match. This was their their fourth bronze from the past five Paralympics.

Meanwhile, Krysten Coombs came from behind to beat Brazil’s Vitor Tavares 12-21 21-10 21-16 in the SH6 badminton bronze medal match.

After his victory, he told Channel 4 he was “shocked and overwhelmed.”

He said: “Being here has been amazing but to come away with a medal is brilliant.

I’m shocked and overwhelmed. I can’t believe it but I’ve been working so hard.

“Having the sport at the Paralympics will do so much for it all over the world.”

Related links:

Tokyo Paralympics: Gold in the wheelchair rugby as Team GB continue to sweep up medals

Sarah Storey wins 17th gold to become Britain’s most successful Paralympian

Why Piers Morgan is so wrong about bronze – regards, Team GB!

The closing ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics will take place later on Sunday, with Boccia gold medallist David Smith chosen to be the Great Britain flag carrier. The three-time Paralympic gold medallist, who retained his BC1 singles title on Wednesday, described it as an “unbelievable honour.”

“I am proud to be the face of the athletes that are here, and those who have already returned home,” he said.

“It is an unbelievable honour to be leading out the Paralympics GB team at the closing ceremony,” Smith added.

“Not only am I representing the sport that I love, but the wider ParalympicsGB team too.

“I have received so much support over these last 12 days, this honour is for every one of them – athletes, support staff and British fans alike.”

The closing ceremony is due to start at 12:00 BST on Sunday.