Afghanistan veteran and GB rower wins gold in thrilling sprint finish in Paralympics
Former Royal Engineer and para-rower Gregg Stevenson has won gold with his partner Lauren Rowles in a nail-biting finish against the Chinese pair in the PR2 mixed doubles sculls.
Liu Shuang and Jiang Jijian were leading by a boat-length as the race entered its final 500m, but the British pair claimed the victory with a perfectly timed final sprint.
They were favourites after setting a new world record in the qualifying stages, and Lauren Rowles became the first Paralympic rower to win three Paralympic titles.
The result means Lauren Rowles has become the first Paralympic rower to win three golds after wins in Tokyo in 2021 and Rio in 2016 with former partner Laurence Whiteley.
"That was unreal. What a race. China, fair play they absolutely pushed us all the way and we’ve been training so hard and that’s not my strength," said Gregg Stevenson.
"Lauren all season has been saying, Gregg, you need 250m so I'm glad I gave it to her today," he added.
The PR2 mixed skulls pair won gold in 8 minutes, 20.97 seconds ahead of second-placed China, and Israel, who took bronze.
"I said to Gregg when I say go you go and he did that today and we just went for it, stayed in our lane, did our own thing and came through as champions," said Lauren Rowles.
The duo also hold the World and European titles.
Stevenson had initially retired from rowing in 2018 after becoming a qualified mental health practitioner and came close to making GB's para-rowing team for the 2016 Paralympics.
Stevenson lost both legs in an improvised explosive device blast while on patrol in Helmand Province in 2009.
He made a successful return to the water in 2022.
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