Paralympics: Former Paratrooper Jaco Van Gass Wins Cycling Gold

Former paratrooper Jaco van Gass has won the gold medal in the C3 3,000m Individual Pursuit at the Paralympics in Tokyo.

He beat fellow Brit Fin Graham by 1.1 seconds in the 12-lap final, with a winning time of 3 minutes and 20.987 seconds.  

Earlier, the veteran shattered the world record in qualifying for the final with a time of 3 minutes and 17.59 seconds.

This is the first Forces medal of the Paralympics with hopes high that Lesley Stewart (shooting), Mickey Yule (powerlifting), Luke Pollard (triathlon), Ryan Cowling and Stu Robinson (both Wheelchair Rugby) could follow suit.

It is van Gass' second medal of his cycling career after winning bronze at the World Championships in 2018.

Prior to the Paralympics, van Gass told Forces News: "I can't stand here wanting to go to the Paralympics and not think about medals.

"My focus is very much on the individual pursuit and the road race.

"Those are the two that I want a medal, coming back, around my neck."

WATCH: Who to watch from the military at the Paralympic Games.

Here's how social media reacted to van Gass winning Paralympic gold.

Cover image: Jaco van Gass competing at the Manchester Paracycling International in 2019. (Picture: PA)