Australian Paralympian Benjamin Hance's heartbreaking admission amid gold medal triumph

Benjamin Hance has paid tribute to his late father - who died earlier this year - after claiming gold in the 100m backstroke S14 event at the Paralympics. Hance comfortably won the final just hours after setting a world record in his heat (56.52 seconds).

When Hance touched the wall first in the final, his attention immediately switched to his late father, pointing to the sky and uttering the words: "I love you, Dad." The impressive swim meant Hance - who has an intellectual impairment - became the first man to win consecutive gold medals at the Paralympics.

But the 24-year-old said post-race he was just relieved to get through the event, stating this year had been both the hardest and worst of his life. Hance's father, Anthony Charles Hance, died aged 55 just three months before the Australian swimming trials in Brisbane leaving a hole in the Paralympic gold medallist's heart.

“I was just thanking my father for everything he’s done,” he said. “He always loved my backstroke and I’m glad I gave him a gold medal tonight, for sure. I’ve never dealt with death, and I just wanted to win the gold medal for him.”

Hance said even away from the loss of his father, he has been struggling this season and desperately needs a break. “(It’s been) the worst year of my life,” Hance said. I’m glad this season is over. There’s my dad dying, for sure ... and there’s also other things I won’t mention on camera that happened to me that could have ruined my life, as well.”

How Aussie swimmers did on Day Nine of the Paris Paralympics

Both Hance and Callum Simpson claimed gold medals in the pool on Day Nine. Simpson showcased he is a real star digging in to beat American Noah Jaffe by 0.02 seconds in the S8 100m freestyle. The 17-year-old had already won gold as part of Australia's relay team but now adds an individual gold to his collection.

While Tim Hodge cemented his standing as a star of the Australian swim team with a silver in the men's S9 100m butterfly to go with two golds acquired earlier at this Games. Despite finishing some way off Italy's Simone Barlaam he leaves Paris with his stock incredibly high. In the same race Aussie Lewis Bishop, who lost his leg at age 10 in Papua New Guinea, was last at the turn but powered home to collect bronze.

Tom Gallagher also showed an incredible burst of speed in the final 25m to edge out Italy's Ricciardo Menciotti for third in men's S10 backstroke. While Emily Beecroft and Rachael Watson also both claimed bronze in their respective events.

with AAP