From catwalk to canoe: former Mr England claims Paralympics silver

Jack Eyers has been ripped apart by werewolves and blown up in horror films after joining a film agency specifically for amputees. But on Sunday, the former Mr England made his mark in a more conventional way, finishing with silver in canoeing on his debut at the Paralympic Games, at the age of 35.

The chiselled amputee, who missed out on selection for Tokyo 2021, caught the eye in a time of 47.87 seconds in the men’s VL3 va’a single 200m, but was denied the title by Ukraine’s Vladyslav Yepifanov.

Eyers, from Bournemouth, was born with proximal femoral focal deficiency, which affected his hip, knee and femur. He was advised to wait until he was 18 to undergo surgery but convinced doctors to amputate his leg above the knee two years early.

After the operation, he joined a modelling agency – Models of Diversity – which paved the way to becoming a cover star for Men’s Health magazine, in addition to entering modelling competitions and earning beauty pageant glory. He became the first amputee to be crowned Mr England, in 2017, and has also modelled at London and New York fashion weeks. The former ‘Mr England’ – still known as such within the ParalympicsGB team – has now completed his journey from catwalk to canoe podium with his medal.

Eyers turned heads as fastest qualifier from the two semi-finals at at Vaires-sur-Marne Stadium. But Yepifanov, who booked his spot in the medal race by winning one of the initial heats on Friday, took top spot on the podium. The Ukrainian needed a new Paralympic record of 47.49s to defeat the Briton, who was 0.38s slower.

Eyers said: “It was pretty epic. I was here this time last year for the test event and I massively underperformed. The goal was always to start Para-canoe and to become a Paralympian. I’ve now completed the set with Europeans, World Cup, World Championships and now Paralympics. Job done – I’m so pleased, so happy, just content.

“It means so much to me. To narrowly miss out on Tokyo, and to win here in Paris is incredible. There’s great spirit in this team, and great experience in the group as well. I’m learning from the guys who have been at multiple games, and reflecting with them on what these Games have meant.”

As for the horror films, Eyers has taken a break.

“I’ll possibly go back to it but I haven’t done it for a bit because of the risk of injury,” he said. “I’ve been focusing on purely being an athlete and a father, so training or being with my daughter. But if I have a bit more time now, I may go back to [the horror movies and acting work].

“It has been such a great experience. managing my expectations I didn’t know what it would be like but it has exceeded my expectations massively.”

For now, however, he’s setting his sights on more Paralympic glory in four years time.

“Los Angeles is on the cards, yes, for sure. I didn’t make it for Tokyo, I didn’t get selected. There is strong competition back home, but that’s what I’m aiming for.”

Elsewhere on the final day, Charlotte Henshaw and Emma Wiggs delivered a British one-two with gold and silver in the women’s KL2 kayak before Laura Sugar retained the women’s KL3 title. It was Henshaw’s second gold medal of these Games.

In a repeat of the result in Japan, former swimmer Henshaw outshone team-mate Wiggs, powering over the line in a Paralympic record of 49.07s to win by 2.49s and secure her second gold in Paris following Saturday’s triumph in the VL3 va’a.

Sugar’s success also included a Games record. The 33-year-old finished in 46.66s, 1.25s ahead of France’s Nelia Barbosa.

Henshaw said: “I feel an immense amount of gratitude, for the opportunity to be here, still hitting it out with the best in the
world. I was a one-eventer in swimming so to have two events, and now two golds here is just unbelievable, I’m just immensely grateful.

“We raced in front of empty stands in Tokyo and while it was an amazing Games, it just had that extra bit missing and Paris has certainly brought that so just a huge thank you for embracing para-canoe and supporting our amazing sport.”

Earlier, wheelchair racer David Weir announced his retirement from Paralympic competition after finishing fifth in the men’s T54 marathon. The 45-year-old won six Paralympic gold medals, including four at London 2012, having made his debut aged 17 at Atlanta in 1996.

“It was quite emotional at the end because this will be my last race for GB,” said Weir.

Day 11 in Paris: As it happened . . .

04:03 PM BST

Complete medal table – final standings

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03:55 PM BST

‘We will have to maintain our work at this level’

03:50 PM BST

Aminzadeh wins final gold medal of Paralympics

The 17th edition of the Paralympics concluded a few moments ago when Ahmad Aminzadeh of Iran won the final gold medal of the Games in the men’s over 107kg para powerlifting event. The 33-year-old two-time world champion, finished ahead of Anton Kriukov of Ukraine and Akaki Jintcharadze of Georgia. Liam McGarry, the lone Briton in the men’s over 107kg para powerlifting. The 27-year-old Briton in the eight-man final finished in fifth spot.

11:50 AM BST

Briton Eyers claims men’s va’a silver … behind Yepifanov

Great Britain’s Jack Eyers, the European champion, narrowly missed out to Vladyslav Yepifanov of Ukraine in the final of the men’s va’a single 200 metres VL3. Eyers, who was competing at his maiden Paralympics having grown up playing wheelchair basketball, will take a silver medal home to Bournemouth. Peter Cowan of New Zealand grabbed bronze having pipped Aussie Curtis McGrath on the line in what was a thrilling race.

And this concludes our coverage from this morning’s action. Check back in at 2.45pm (BST) to see how Liam McGarry fares in the men’s over 107kg para powerlifting. The 27-year-old Briton is the only member of the ParalympicsGB squad who has not yet completed his schedule at this year’s Games.

11:35 AM BST

‘It’s a para-canoe party – my goodness, they have brought it’

Charlotte Henshaw, speaking to Channel 4 after winning gold earlier: “[I’m feeling] not an awful lot, just an immense amount of gratitude, I guess, for the opportunity to be here, still hitting it out with the best in the world.

“I was a one eventer in swimming so I only ever got the opportunity to race for one medal and when it came to this Games, I thought ‘isn’t it going to be nice to get two bites of the cherry?’

“The two golds was the ultimate icing on the cake and to achieve that is just unbelievable, I’m just immensely grateful.

“It’s a para-canoe party which we always said we would get but my goodness, they have brought it. It’s been so amazing, I’ve got a group of school friends up there who love a party and they felt right at home here and I think that’s what special about this.

“We raced in front of empty stands in Tokyo and while it was an amazing Games, it just had that extra bit missing and Paris has certainly brought that so just a huge thank you for embracing para-canoe and supporting our amazing sport.”

11:33 AM BST

‘A new benchmark was set for the Paralympics’

At a press conference in St Denis this morning with Andrew Parsons, the International Paralympic Committee president, and Tony Estanguet, president of Paris 2024, as they outline views on 17th summer Paralympic Games.

After 2.5 million tickets were sold, Parsons said: “A new benchmark was set for the Paralympic Games in every aspect” relating to athlete experience and crowd involvement.

Estanguet added that Paris’s “ambition was met” and the Paralympics “have left their mark in peoples’ minds as an exceptional development.”

Will be asking what more needs to be done by International Paralympic Committee after this …

…and then off to second news conference at GB House in Clichy to talk about ParalympicsGB Games with Penny Briscoe chef de mission.

In sporting terms, Great Britain has won 49 golds and 123 medals thus far overall. Nine more gold medals than Tokyo 2020. GB is second to China in the table of medals. More detail on all this later.

11:23 AM BST

Sweet taste of success for Briton Sugar

Laura Sugar, the defending champion from Tokyo, absolutely dominated the women’s kayak single 200 metres KL3 final to win her sixth gold medal at either Paralympic or World Championship level. Home favourite Neila Barbosa gave the French fans plenty to cheer about with a brave performance that saw her take silver, while Felicia Laberer of Germany took bronze. Hope Gordon, the second Briton in the race, finished in fifth spot.

11:00 AM BST

Clifton misses out … Brazil win gold and silver

Ed Clifton’s hopes of taking home a meadl from the men’s va’a single 200 metres VL2 final ended in disappointment after the Essex man finished second from last in seventh spot. Brazil, meanwhile, completed a one-two with a moustachioed Fernando Rufino de Paulo taking gold ahead of Igor Tofalini. Blake Haxton of USA was third, adding a bronze medal to the silver he took home from Tokyo.

10:50 AM BST

Henshaw leads home British one-two

Charlotte Henshaw, the 37-year-old from Mansfield, has just won her second gold medal of these Games with a supreme performance in the women’s kayak single 200 metres KL2 final. Compatriot Emma Wiggs held on to take silver, while Anja Adler of Germany took bronze. Henshaw, incidentally, is yet another athlete who has switched sports. At the Beijing, London and Rio Games she was found competing in the swimming pool – winning silver in 2012 and bronze in 2016.

10:35 AM BST

Record-breaker El Idrissi wins women’s T12 marathon

Fatima El Idrissi of Morocco has just set a world record of 2:48.36 to win the women’s T12 marathon. It was the second medal of the Games for El Idrissi after she took silver in the 1500 metres T13 in the opening week of the Paralympics.

The 29-year-old, whose hero is compatriot middle-distance runner Hicham El Guerrouj, tore the field apart with second-placed Meryem En-Nourhi, also from Morocco, crossing the line 9min 42sec off the pace. Elena Congost of Spain finished third to take bronze at 12min 12sec.

10:32 AM BST

Chippington well off pace in final

There was disappointment for Jeanette Chippington after the 54-year-old Briton finished seventh in the women’s kayak single 200 metres KL1 final. In stark contrast, Katherinne Wollermann of Chile came from behind to overhaul Maryna Mazhula of Ukriane to land gold. Following her win, Wollermann did her customary roll into the water – before being rescued. German athlete Edina Müller was third for bronze.

10:15 AM BST

Eyers the record-breaker into va’a single VL3 final

Another Briton, Jack Eyers, has just flown into the men’s va’a single 200 metres VL3 final after coming from behind setting a a new Paralympic record of 48.59sec in his semi-final. The 35-year-old from Bournemouth will go for gold at 11.41am (BST). A magnificent seven Britons will be in action later this morning with all having a chance of taking home a gold medal from these Paralympics.

10:05 AM BST

Boukhili wins T12 men’s marathon gold

Back on terra firma, Wajdi Boukhili of Tunisia has won the T12 men’s marathon. The 25-year-old who has cited Eliud Kipchoge as a huge influence on his career, completed his marathon in 2hr 22min 5sec, finishing 1.57sec ahed of Alberto Suárez of Spain. El Amin Chentouf of Morocco trailed over the line at 2.30sec.

09:56 AM BST

Hope springs eternal in women’s kayak

Hope Gordon produced a very impressive performance to win her women’s kayak single 200m semi-final. The 29-year-old Scot, who carried the Olympic through Inverness in the lead-up to the 2012 Olympic Games, finished ahead of Katarzyna Patrycja of Poland, while Amanda Embriaco of Italy cruised over the line in third. By the way, another Briton – Jeanette Chippington – will race for gold at 10.25am in the KL1 final.

09:50 AM BST

Iranian strongman Gharibshahi lands gold

Ealier this morning, Aliakbar Gharibshahi of Iran, the 42-year-old who won his first international event at the Asia-Oceania Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan in 2018, landed the biggest win of his career in the para powerlifting. Gharibshahi won gold in the ‘up to 107kg’ division, finishing ahead of Enkhbayaryn Sodnompiljee of Mongolia, with Mexico’s Jose Castillo taking bronze.

09:35 AM BST

Briton Clifton edges into va’a single 200m L2 final

Ed Clifton, the 38-year-old from Chelmsford, held on to finish third in his men’s va’a single 200m L2 semi-final. He appeared to struggle a little, producing a much slower stroke rate than winner Norberto Mourao of Portugal and Mathieu St-Pierre of Canada. Either way, Clifton – who also competed in the F51 discus at the 2019 Grand Prix event in Grosseto, Italy – will be in the final later this morning.

09:29 AM BST

Briton Wiggs progresses to women’s kayak final

Emma Wiggs, 44, was narrowly beaten by Australia’s Susan Seipel in the second women’s kayak single 200 metre KL2 semi-final. Wiggs competed in the sitting volleyball at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

09:22 AM BST

Hello . . .

Good morning and welcome to live coverage from day 11 – the final day – of action from the XVII Paralympic Games.

It was an early start in Paris this morning, with four medal events having already got under way: men’s marathon T54, women’s marathon T54, women’s marathon T12 and the men’s marathon T12.

Two events, as it stands, have finished, the men’s and women’s T54 marathons. Briton David Weir finished fifth in his race before later announcing he has now retired from competing at the Paralympics – but confirmed that he will still compete in other marathon events around the world. The 45-year-old won six Paralympic gold medals, including four at London 2012, having made his debut aged 17 at Atlanta in 1996.

“It was quite emotional at the end because this will be my last race for GB,” said Weir after posting a time of one hour, 33 minutes and 27 seconds.

“I’ll still do the major marathons, I still enjoy doing them, but it’ll be my last international. My body just couldn’t cope with it today. It’s an age thing, I was the oldest in the field.

“I am still highly competitive and still trying to beat Daniel [Romanchuk, 26-year-old American athlete who finished fourth] who is half my age, I could be his dad. I’m still doing all right. I gave it my all today.”

British athlete Eden Rainbow-Cooper did not finish the women’s T54 marathon.

Men’s marathon T54 podium

1. Marcel Hug (Switzerland)

2. Hua jin (China)

3. Tomoki Suzuki (Japan)

Women’s marathon T54 podium

1. Catherine Debrunner (Switzerland)

2. Madison de Rozario  (Australia)

3. Susannah Scaroni (US)

Britain names its flagbearers

Meanwhile, ParalympicsGB have announced the flagbearers for tonight’s closing ceremony. Swimmer Poppy Maskill and taekwondo star Matt Bush will both hoist the Union flag later this evening.

Maskill won five medals in the pool in the S14 swimming class for intellectually impaired athletes, including golds in the 100 metres butterfly, where she set a world record, 100m backstroke and 4x100m freestyle mixed relay.

The 19-year-old said: “The butterfly was my favourite as it was my first Paralympic medal and a world record. Next time I really want to win five golds. I’ve had a really amazing time and I can’t wait to carry the flag.”

Bush won gold in the men’s 80+ kilograms category with a dominant 5-0 win in the final.

The Welshman, who previously competed as a javelin thrower prior to a shoulder problem, missed out on the Tokyo Games three years ago because of injury.

He said: “It’s an unbelievable honour to represent not only the athletes in my sport but across all the 19 sports in ParalympicsGB. Everyone has performed so well and it’s been so fantastic to be here, I’m just super happy.

“ParalympicsGB is such a close-knit team. It is extra special that I can carry the flag on behalf of everyone. It’s an unbelievable way to finish my first experience of a Paralympic Games.”

The Paralympics draws to a close in Paris on Sunday evening.