Paralympians wrapped up the final day of their Games in spectacular style at the National Stadium yesterday, setting new records in all of the five marathon events.

Athens silver medalist, Austria's wheelchair racer Thomas Geierspichler broke his own world record by about three minutes in the T52 class.

Mexico's runner Mario Santillan smashed the previous T46 world record of 2 hours, 31 minutes and 15 seconds set by Spain's Javier Conde, shortening the time by about three minutes. Meanwhile, China's Qi Shun walked away with a gold and a new world record in class T12 for athletes with visual impairment.

Australia's defending wheelchair racing champion Kurt Fearnley set a new Paralympic record in the men's marathon T54, winning his fourth medal in Beijing. Switzerland's Edith Hunkeler also set a new Paralympic record in the women's T54. Both athletes took bronzes in the previous evening in the 1,500m.

Chinese and French fencers grabbed the last two golds on offer at the fencing hall.

In the men's individual sabre category A final, 21-year-old Ye Ruyi of China took his second gold of the Games by upsetting fellow teammate Tian Jianquan 15-14. The bronze went to Italian Alberto Pellegrini.

France's Laurent Francois defeated Hong Kong fencer Hui Charn Hung and won the gold in the men's individual saber category B. Ukrainian Serhiy Shenkevych took the bronze.

Defending champion Brazil lifted the title in football 5-a-side by beating China 2-1 thanks to a late penalty from Marcos Pelipe with just 25 seconds to go.

The South American powerhouse remained unbeaten throughout the six-team tournament in Beijing while China, a Paralympic debutant in the sport, finished second.

Argentina, the Athens silver medalist, beat Spain 1-1 (1-0) in a penalty shootout to win the bronze.

Source: China Daily