PARALYMPIC star Richard Colman won Geelong's second gold medal in London with a stunning performance in the T53 800m early yesterday.
It capped off a successful day for the region on the track, with Kelly Cartwright backing up her long jump gold with silver in the T42 100m.
Colman surged to the lead with 200m to go to win in a time of 1:41.13, just beating off the challenge from Canada's Brent Lakatos and early leader Joshua George.
"It was tough. Any of those guys could win it," Colman said.
"I don't know how I ended up winning that one.
"It was a tough field and (there were some) really good athletes there.
"I just had to play my cards right and hang on at the end. We had to attack really early and I didn't want to attack so early but I knew the boys were coming so I had to."
It took a world record to defeat Cartwright in her pet race as Italian Martina Caironi claimed gold in 15.87sec.
"It (two medals) is the best I could ask for. I ran a PB (in the 100m) and I am really happy with that," Cartwright said.
"It was tough. The Italian was quick and she was running faster times than me coming into this, so she is the winner.
"I am so happy. We have had setbacks. My coach and I have worked through it and to get silver and gold what else could I ask for?"
Colman has now claimed six Paralympic medals, including two gold. His other gold medal came in the T53 800m in Athens in 2004.
The 27-year-old, who is the world 800m champion in his class, said he had his eyes set on claiming a seventh and eighth medal in his last two events. Colman will race again tonight in the heats of the T53 200m and will also represent Australia in the relay.
Geelong's other Paralympians - Jess Gallagher and Sam McIntosh - will be back on the track for their final events tomorrow.
Gallagher will compete in the F13 long jump final, while McIntosh has the heats of the T52 200m.
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