A BANGOR University law graduate took fifth place in the Paralympics men’s rowing on Sunday (August 29) after setting a new best time at the games the previous day.

Ben Pritchard, 29, had to settle for a place in the second men’s single sculls PR1M1x repechage race in Tokyo on Saturday after finishing second in his first race on Friday.

But it was at the repechage, at 2.30am UK time at Sea Forest Waterway on Saturday, that he recorded a new Paralympics best, winning the race in a record-breaking time of nine minutes, 14 seconds and 61 milliseconds.

That earned him qualification for the men’s single sculls PR1M1x final at 3.10am UK time at Sea Forest Waterway on Sunday, where he finished fifth out of six with a time of ten minutes, six seconds and 95 milliseconds.

Roman Polianskyi, who also beat Pritchard in Friday’s race, took the gold medal.

In 2016, Pritchard suffered a spinal injury from a cycling accident, and focused on the Paralympics from 2019, making his international debut for the GB Rowing Team in the same year.

Following the conclusion of his first Paralympics appearance, Pritchard wrote in a post on his official Instagram account: “Not every sporting journey has a fairy-tale ending and today proves that for me.

“Fifth in the A Final was not what I was aiming for or wished to achieve.

“Five years ago I was sat watching the Paralympics from a hospital bed and I'm sure in time, I'll be proud of how far I've come. Plus I did set a Paralympic Best time and personal best.

“I'd like to congratulate all the crews for reaching the podium. Especially my team mates!!

“Thank you all for the support from home and all the messages. I'm going to take a couple days to let the race settle and then I'll respond to each of you.”