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Hong Kong strikes gold in Rio to claim a first Paralympic title as Tang Wai-lok sets Games record

Hong Kong wins a first gold medal at the Paralympics after swimmer sets a Games record in the men’s 200 metre freestyle

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Tang Wai-lok (C) claimed the gold in the 200 metres after narrowly missing out in the 100m. Photo: HK Paralympic Committee
Chan Kin-wa

Hong Kong won its first gold medal at the Paralympic Games in Rio after swimmer Tang Wai-lok set a Games record in winning the men’s 200 metre freestyle.

Swimming in the Olympic Aquatics Stadium, the same pool where the Olympic Games were held a month ago and which will be dismantled after the two Games, Tang was the first to touch the finish in the men’s S14 class final in a record time of one minute and 56.32 seconds.

Watch: Tang Wai-lok claims gold for Hong Kong

Thomas Hamer of Great Britain and Australian Daniel Fox came second and third respectively in 1:56.58 and 1:56.69.

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Viacheslav Emeliantsev of Russia, who set a world record of 1:56.27 in Glasgow last year, was not allowed to compete in Rio due to the ban imposed on his country by the International Paralympic Committee.

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The Hong Kong SAR flag is raised in the victory ceremony for the victory of Swimmer Tang Wai-lok who won the first gold for HK in the Rio Paralympics in a Games record. Photo: HK Paralympic Committee
The Hong Kong SAR flag is raised in the victory ceremony for the victory of Swimmer Tang Wai-lok who won the first gold for HK in the Rio Paralympics in a Games record. Photo: HK Paralympic Committee

The 19-year-old Tang also won gold at the 2015 INAS Global Games in Ecuador in 2:02.13 and the 2014 Incheon Asian Paralympic Games in 1:59.13.

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