Reigning world champion, the 35-year-old triathlete became Paralympic champion (PTS4 category) on Saturday August 28, thus offering his third gold medal to the French delegation.
Alexis Hanquinquant was the big favorite in this event of 750 meters of swimming, 20 kilometers of cycling, and 5 kilometers of running, and he fully assumed his status. Triple European champion and triple reigning world champion (2017, 2018, 2019), the Normand was almost four minutes ahead of the Japanese Hideki Uda.
Amputated of his right leg at the level of the tibia at the age of 27, following a work accident, Alexis Hanquinquant participated in his very first Paralympic Games.
“The plan went perfectly”, relishes the Rouannais, before adding “I had developed several strategies but from the start of swimming, I said to myself that the best was to attack”.
The former French full contact boxing champion among the able-bodied won the first title of a beautiful day of medals. At midday in Tokyo, six new medals had garnished the French table.
For now, the French delegation is at the 11th medal table place with 17 medals (3 gold, 5 silver and 9 bronze).