NSWIS rower Erik Horrie is “over the moon” to have secured a second straight silver medal, in the AS men’s single sculls at the Rio Paralympics rowing regatta.

 

The 36-year-old was one of the pre-race favourites, having won the past three world championships but he couldn’t keep pace with Ukraine’s Roman Polianskyi, who steadily increased his lead throughout the 1000m race to finish three seconds ahead of the Australian, in a new Paralympic best time.

 

“Every athlete comes to a Paralympic Games chasing a gold medal,” Horrie told the Australian Paralympic Committee.

 

“But to come away with any medal, it’s unbelievable, especially with the talent of all the athletes I went up against today. It’s just a privilege to be able to be on that podium.”

 

The Sydneysider was especially buoyed by all the goodwill he’s received.

 

“I ended up turning my phone off last night just because of messages coming through wishing me luck from complete strangers back home,” he said.

 

“Thank you very much to everyone that’s been supporting me throughout the journey, especially my coach Jason Baker, he’s been beside me through the good and the bad. (It) takes a lot to put up with me.”

 

Australia’s LTA mixed coxed four that included NSWIS athletes Kate Murdoch and Jeremy McGrath, along with cox Jo Burnand completed their first Games with victory in the B-final.

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