A UNIVERSITY coach says he was bought to tears after Team GB Paralympian Sarah Storey won her record-breaking 17th gold medal.
Dame Sarah Storey made history by becoming Great Britain’s most successful Paralympian after claiming a 17th gold medal at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
The cycling star won the C4-5 road race at the rain-soaked Fuji International Speedway – adding to her collection of medals, which also includes eight silvers and three bronzes.
Sarah’s long-time University of Brighton coach Gary Brickley said watching the 43-year-old overtake Mike Kenny’s gold medal haul record was an emotional experience.
“It was a beautiful watch,” he said. “It brought tears to my eyes.
“She's in brilliant form and is just continuing to improve. To go back 30 years and still keep knocking out the wins and loving it, and loving the training, it’s incredible.”
The former swimmer – whose first five golds came in the pool, beginning at the Barcelona games in 1992 – has now won all 12 bike events entered since swapping to two wheels in Beijing in 2008.
Dr Brickley was also quick to add a further challenge for Sarah.
“You know it’s not far off Michael Phelps’ number of gold medals [23] now, so we have to keep pushing on,” he said.
Dr Brickley has combined coaching Great Britain's most successful Paralympian of all time with pioneering work in the school of sport and health sciences at the University of Brighton.
The scheme aims to help perform to their best under extreme conditions, such as heat or altitude.
Sarah benefited from Dr Brickley's expertise since they teamed up in 2004.
Dr Brickley’s insights will also play into preparations by athletes at upcoming events in extreme heat conditions such as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Speaking after the record-breaking medal win last week, the mother of two said it was a dream she never felt would happen.
“I couldn’t have imagined having eight games, let alone winning medals at every games, and 17 of those medals being gold,” she said.
“I just wanted to be a British athlete, I wanted to compete for my country for as long as I possibly could, and to still be going strong in games number eight is truly amazing.”
Sarah was born without a functioning left hand after her arm became entangled in the umbilical cord in the womb.
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