TRIATHLON 2016 I PARALYMPICS 32
EUROPE STRIKES BACK
NETHERLANDS, GREAT BRITAIN, GERMANY GO HOME HAPPY
PT1 MEN
The Netherlands' Jetze Plat put together the most
dominant performance of the day in Rio, crushing the
competition from line to line for the gold.
"It was historic, because it was the first time that
paratriathlon had been in the Paralympics. And after
three times being the European Champion and one time
being the World Champion I was just very happy and
proud of that performance. It was kind of a perfect day,"
said Plat.
Behind Plat, compatriot Geert Schipper sailed over the
line next to see the Netherlands' go 1-2. Italian Giovanni
Achenza crossed the line third.
PT2 MEN
In the men's PT2 sport class, top honours went to
Andy Lewis (GBR) in a stunning come from behind
performance. The silver went to Italy's Michele Ferrarin,
with bronze going to Morocco's Mohamed Lahna with a
consistent race across each discipline.
While Lewis was down by almost a minute out of the
water, a strong effort on the bike kept him in contention.
It was Ferrarin who ran through the first 2.5km loop in
first place, but Lewis ripped through the run and gained
on Ferrarin to finally catch him and fly by to win the gold
by nearly a minute.
PT4 MEN
Martin Schulz (GER) became the first man to win a
Paralympic gold medal when he put together a dominant
performance in the men's PT4 sport class.
"It is amazing. I just realized that I won the gold medal
and then the first-ever for paratri at Copacabana. It was
a nice place to compete, and it was a high part of my
career. It was what I had worked for over the last few
years and I am very happy," said Schulz.
Joining him on the podium was Canada's Stefan Daniel,
who earned silver with a come-from-behind performance,
and Spain's Jairo Lopez Ruiz, who ended the day
with bronze.
