Jaco van Gass admits winning double cycling gold at the Invictus Games, presented by Jaguar Land Rover, would go down as a special moment in his life.
Saturday saw the busiest day of the Games so far, with wheelchair basketball, indoor rowing and road cycling all taking place at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.
Competing in the men's IRB2 road bike time trial and IRB2 circuit race was van Gass, who was severely injured while on his second tour of Afghanistan with the British Armed Forces Parachute Regiment.
The 28-year-old took victory in both events and the Rio 2016 Paralympics hopeful said afterwards: "It means a hell of a lot to get two golds. I've had a bit of a rocky year this year, I've suffered a lot of injuries and I really wanted a good result here.
"I think sport fits in very well with the army life. You prepare for stuff before you are going on operations and it's the same with sport.
"You have a focus for the event, you train for it, you execute it and then you go to the next one."
Elsewhere, there was plenty for the home supporters to cheer about in the Copper Box Arena as Great Britain battled their way to the final of the wheelchair basketball where they faced the USA.
In a thrilling encounter it would be Great Britain who took the gold thanks to a 19-9 victory and captain Adam Dixon said afterwards: "Most of us here will be friends for life. It's an age old thing but after this we will be best mates forever.
"It's a huge honour to be captain and I tried to make the most of it."
While in the Here East venue, there were some impressive performances in the indoor rowing competition, including triple gold for Lance Corporal Jordan Beecher of The Parachute Regiment.
Beecher, who was injured by an explosive device in Afghanistan that resulted in his leg being amputated, won the men's IR5 endurance and sprint competitions as well as helping his country to the team title.
He said: "I'd love to see these Games continue and competing against other nations again would be amazing.
"To get the recognition from the public is amazing. You can't fault these Games."
Jaguar Land Rover, who is immensely proud to be bringing the Invictus Games to the attention of the world, and alongside the Royal Foundation and the Ministry of Defence, is determined to create a lasting legacy from the Games.
Tomorrow sees the Games' final sporting action take place with sitting volleyball, powerlifting and swimming being contested before the Closing Ceremony draws the event to a close.
Jaguar Land Rover is proud to be the presenting partner of the Invictus Games, the international sporting competition for wounded, injured and sick Service personnel. For more information visit www.jaguar.com and www.landrover.com
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NOTES TO EDITORS
About the Invictus Games
Launched by Prince Harry earlier this year, the Invictus Games
will use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support
rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect of
those who serve their country. The nine sports at the Invictus
Games are: Archery, Athletics, Wheelchair Basketball, Road Cycling,
Powerlifting, Indoor Rowing, Wheelchair Rugby, Swimming and Sitting
Volleyball. There will also be a Jaguar Land Rover Driving
Challenge. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will host events in the
London Aquatics Centre, Copper Box Arena, Lee Valley VeloPark &
Here East, with Athletics at Lee Valley Athletics Centre, thanks to
the Mayor of London Boris Johnson, the London Legacy Development
Corporation and the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority. Teams have
been invited from Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia,
France, Germany, Georgia, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, UK &
USA. Jaguar Land Rover is the Presenting Partner of the Invictus
Games. BT, Fisher House, Ottobock, PwC and YESSS are Official
Supporters. The Invictus Games are being organised with the support
and backing of The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge and Prince Harry and the Ministry of Defence.
About Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover is the UK's largest premium automotive
manufacturing business, built around two iconic British car brands.
All its vehicles are engineered and designed in Britain.
While it has ambitious plans for global growth, the heart of the
business remains in the UK, with billions of pounds invested in
state-of-the-art production, research and development
facilities. In 2013, Jaguar Land Rover sold 425,006
vehicles - up 19% from the previous year - in more than 170
countries. The company employs 30,000 people
globally.
