Michael McKillop clinches gold in Rio as he retains T37 1500m title

Glengormley athlete Michael McKillop has clinched his fourth Paralympic gold after he stormed to victory in the T37 1500m metres in Rio on Sunday.

The runner’s success came after setbacks in his training due to problems with his iron levels.

He didn’t have the best of starts but he was comfortable in second place after the first lap.

In the second half of the race, McKillop began to show his class, getting his nose in front despite being closely monitored by Canadian athlete Liam Stanley.

Stanley stayed on Mckillop's heels for as long as he could, but the defending champion simply had too much over the closing straight as he surged to victory in a time of 4:12.11.

It’s a fourth Paralympic gold for McKillop and the third gold medal for Northern Ireland’s competitors.