Paddler Scott Martlew carries New Zealand's medal hopes into the penultimate day of competition at the Paris Paralympics.
As the Kiwis still seek their first gold medal of these Games, Martlew, 31, as our next strong podium propsect in the KL2 kayak single over 200 metres at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium — a venue that produced three kayak gold medals for New Zealand during last month's Olympics.
Martlew has earned direct entry into Sunday morning's final, after winnng his heat in 43.51s, just edging out Austrian Mendy Swoboda and Brit David Phillipson for the one automatic spot. Aussie defending champion Curtis McGrath (42.66s) won the first heat to join him in the final, but the rest of the field must now navigate semifinals to progress.
The Kiwi earned direct passage to the final. (Source: TVNZ)
As a teenager, the Kiwi lost his left leg, after a rugby accident became infected and required amputation. This is his third Paralympics, he finished fourth in this event at Tokyo 2020, but has reached the world championships podium on three occasions.
At the athletics track, Anna Grimaldi will hope to bounce back from her disappointing fourth in the T47 long jump with heats and final over 200 metres, while Will Stedman contests the men's T36 100 metres final.
NZ flagbearer Cam Leslie will take to the pool for the men's S4 50m backstroke, hoping to reach his fourth final of these Games.
Paralympians in action - Saturday, September 7
7.40pm
Swimming: Gabriella Smith in women's SM10 200m individual medley heats at La Defense Arena
8.38pm
Swimming: Cam Leslie in men's S4 50m backstroke heats at La Defense Arena
8.53pm
Athletics: Will Stedman in men's T36 100m final at Stade de France
Will Stedman contests 100 metres heats at Paris. (Source: Getty)
9.36pm
Canoe: Scott Martlew in men's KL2 200 final at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium
10.10pm
Athletics: Mitch Joynt in men's T64 200 metres heats at Stade de France
10.46pm
Athletics: Anna Grimaldi in women's T47 200 metres heats at Stade de France
Sunday, September 8
3.38am
Swimming: Women's SM10 200m individual medley final (Smith) at La Defense Arena
4.58am
Swimming: Men's S4 50m backstroke final (Leslie) at La Defense Arena
5.43am
Athletics: Women's T47 200 metres final (Grimaldi) at Stade de France
Paralympics: Aitchison wins second silver in Paris in 100m final
Danielle Aitchison recorded a time of 13.43 to finish narrowly behind Shi Yiting of China who set a Paralympic record with a time of 13.39.
Sport
Thu, Sep 5
0:29
Paralympics: 'Kiwi ingenuity' helps hand cyclist Rory Mead to fourth
Rory Mead finished fourth in the men's H1-2 road race overnight in Paris.
Sport
Friday 8:24am
1:32
Paralympics: Defending champions Grimaldi, Robinson off podium at Paris
New Zealand have two days to avoid their first Paralympics without gold.
Sport
7:22am
0:22
5.51am
Athletics: Men's T64 200 metres final (Joynt) at Stade de France
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