Today in Tokyo - Day 12

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games have officially come to an end – in record-breaking fashion for ParalympicsGB.

The British team secured podium finishes across 18 sports and ended second behind China in the medal table with 124 medals overall, including 41 gold, 38 silver and 45 bronze.

Two bronzes were added to the tally on the 12th and final day of competition before boccia’s David Smith was the proud flagbearer for the Closing Ceremony.

Here’s what happened as the curtain came down on Tokyo 2020.

Choudhry rallies men’s wheelchair basketball team to bronze

Gaz Choudhry was hailed for his leadership and vision as ParalympicsGB won men’s wheelchair basketball bronze for the fourth time in five Games.

The three-time Paralympian stepped up to take on the role of player-coach after Haj Bhania tested positive for Covid-19 before flying out to Tokyo.

The 36-year-old Choudhry has been a key part of the team since making his international debut in 2009 and won bronze in Rio five years ago – but this was his greatest achievement.

After the disappointment of a semi-final defeat to hosts Japan, ParalympicsGB overcame Spain to claim the final spot on the podium with a 68-58 victory at the Ariake Arena.

Coombs hoping to inspire next generation after winning badminton bronze

Krysten Coombs celebrated a dream come true after fighting from a game down to win badminton bronze – ParalympicsGB’s 124th and final medal of a memorable Tokyo 2020.

The 30-year-old trailed after one game of the bronze-medal match but rallied thereafter to beat Brazil’s Vitor Goncalves Tavares 12-21 21-10 21-16, taking the final spot on the men’s SH6 podium.

That result, combined with Dan Bethell’s SL3 silver yesterday, means the four-strong British team have won two badminton medals on the sport’s Paralympic debut in Japan.

“It’s a dream come true. To be able to come away from these amazing Games with a bronze medal, it’s just unreal,” he said.

Smith carries the flag at Closing Ceremony

The curtain came down on Tokyo 2020 at the Closing Ceremony with the ParalympicsGB contingent led by multiple Paralympic champion and Tokyo 2020 boccia gold medallist David Smith as flagbearer.

Chef de Mission Penny Briscoe OBE said, “It’s an absolute pleasure to announce David as ParalympicsGB’s flagbearer for the Closing Ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

“Not only has David proved that once again he is a champion on the court, he is the most wonderful ambassador for the sport of boccia, for our entire team and for the Paralympic movement too.

“He truly represents the spirit of the Games.”

ParalympicsGB rewrite the history books

And after a brilliant Games for ParalympicsGB, Briscoe was effusive in her praise for the team’s efforts, as well as the support from everyone back home.

She said: “I am so proud of what all of our 226 athletes here in Tokyo have achieved over the last 12 days of competition.

“The team came into these Games after an extremely difficult 18 months as the COVID pandemic brought the world to a standstill. Never before has ParalympicsGB faced such a complex and demanding Games environment – the phenomenal determination and resilience of athletes and staff throughout this period has been remarkable and we couldn’t have achieved all that we did without the invaluable support of The National Lottery players.

“To finish second on the medal table, with more medals overall than the total number we won at our home Games in London nine years ago, is a fantastic achievement.”

Tokyo 2020: ParalympicsGB’s best quotes

Tokyo 2020 will be impossible to forget after 12 days of countless memories.

From Dame Sarah Storey’s record-breaking 17th gold to the breakthrough of a brand-new generation, Tokyo delivered an epic Games.

But just as memorable are the thousands of interviews given by our athletes and in Japan we were treated to some classic one-liners, raw reactions and powerful messages of hope.

Read them all here.

Tokyo 2020: Five breakout stars for ParalympicsGB

Tokyo 2020 was always going to be unique and after a long wait, the Games we got was one full of surprises.

Legends like Dame Sarah Storey, Hannah Cockroft and Sir Lee Pearson delivered the goods to win gold but a series of new names put in precocious performances too.

Here are five breakout stories from a Paralympics like no other.

Tokyo 2020: Ten top moments for ParalympicsGB

From boccia brilliance to wheelchair rugby triumph, ParalympicsGB have been Impossible to Ignore in Tokyo.

With medals across 18 sports, a greater range than any other nation, the team’s performances have been a picture of resilience and strength in the toughest of circumstances.

Here are just ten of the ways British athletes thrilled us in Tokyo.