Afghanistan Veteran Van Gass Claims Double Gold

Paralympic debutant sweeps the boards in Tokyo, reports Vern Pitt

- Vern Pitt

Former soldier in Afghanistan Jaco van Gass claimed two golds and a bronze and set three new world records, becoming Britain’s most successful athlete in the Izu velodrome – all in his first Paralympics.

Van Gass opened his account with a world record of 3.17.593 in the 3,000m individual pursuit in qualifying. That set him up to ride off for gold against teammate Fin Graham, who had himself set a new world record in qualifying just minutes before van Gass. The former Parachute Regiment soldier narrowly beat his countryman in the final.