Davies grabs discus gold as GB athletes eclipse Beijing record after just THREE days
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Aled Davies proved big boys really do cry as he added a Paralympic gold medal in the F42 discus to his shot-put bronze.
The 21-year-old from Bridgend won Great Britain's third track and field gold medal of the Games on Sunday, meaning the hosts surpassed the two titles David Weir won in Beijing after only two-and-ahalf days of competition.
And long-jumper Stefanie Reid later added a silver in the women's F42/44 event - despite jumping the furthest.
Big boys do cry! Aled Davies took his gold medal with pride
Honoured: Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, presented Davies with his medal
Davies knew the gold was his before his last throw after closest challenger, Mehrdad Karam Zadeh, failed to beat his third-round mark of 45.37 metres.
The Welshman admitted he had 'a tear in his eye' knowing he was already the Paralympic champion, but refocused to throw a European record of 46.14 before skipping round the sold-out stadium on his lap of honour, stopping for a photograph with his mother, Jackie.
'I've never run that far in my life, I'm knackered,' said Davies, who was born with hemilia in his right leg, which is supported by a brace bearing his name because the limb is missing bones, muscle and ligaments.
'It was very emotional. That last throw was incredible. It did bring a tear to my eye and I don't normally cry that much.
'I knew the Iranian had pulled a big one out and I was really scared because he's a phenomenal athlete.
'So when his score came up and it wasn't better than mine, I didn't care about my last throw. I just felt nice and relaxed.
'I was almost going to say, "No, I don't want it", but then I thought, "I'm here on the world stage, this is for the fans
Massive throw: Davies hopes to one day be able to compete at the able-bodied standard
'So I managed to go in there and just enjoy it, and I still managed to pull out a massive throw of 46m, which is a European record, so I'm just chuffed that I was able to perform on the world stage.
'It was an unforgettable moment for me.' Davies is a singing, salsa dancing Ospreys rugby union fan, who always wears the same pair of socks when he throws.
There was sheer joy in the exuberant, emotional manner of his celebration, but it is testimony to his outlook that two medals in London do not fully satisfy his expectations.
Davies believed he was in 'world record-breaking form' and wanted to throw beyond 50m in what he called an 'addictive' atmosphere.
He added: 'I want to keep pushing the boundaries of the sport.
'If I can push up to an able-bodied standard I would love to do that.
'I just want to be recognised as an elite athlete now because I feel that sometimes we don't get the recognition.
'I have always pursued an able-bodied career and I train able-bodied to try to have that advantage over everyone else.
'This has been my dream and I always said that one day I'd make my dream a reality. To know that I've come here and done it is unbelievable.
Roar of delight: Great Britain's Aled Davies celebrates winning gold in the men's discus - F42
Welsh wonder: Davies was in unstoppable form at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday
'I want everyone to know that I have put in all the hard work to be here where I am now, and if everyone can just recognise this guy has worked hard and he deserves it then that will be an achievement on its own.'
Unlucky Reid jumped 90cm further than the winner of the F42/44 long jump, but still only came home with a silver medal.
New Zealand-born Reid, who represented Canada in Beijing before switching her allegiance to Great Britain, recorded a Paralympic record of 5.28m but was beaten by Australian Kelly Cartwright's leap of 4.38m, which earned her seven more points.
Reid's right leg was amputated below the knee after it was caught in a propeller during a boating accident when she was 16, meaning she competes in the F44 category.
Cartwright lost her right leg above the knee at 15 after a battle with cancer and is classed as an F42 athlete, so her jump is weighted to reflect her more severe disability.
Reid, 27, said: 'It's obviously quite a controversial area and it's really disappointing that they chose to combine the events on a points system. It's tough but now is not the time to get upset about it. Kelly is a great competitor. She deserves it.'
There was disappointment for GB's Shelly Woods in the T54 5,000m final, the first of four events the 26-year-old wheelchair racer will contest.
Woods, who won bronze in the 5,000m in Beijing, was in a good position at the bell but faded to eighth, admitting she 'did not have it right at the end'.
Couldn't have done it without you: Davies hugs his coach, Anthony Hughes, after winning gold
Throw-business: Davies had already won bronze in the shot put before his golden arm won the discus
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