Welsh cyclist Mark Colbourne scoops gold for Great Britain

Mark Colbourne celebrates winning gold for Great Britain Credit: David Davies/PA Wire

On Thursday he broke a world record and became the first British Paralympian to win a medal when he took silver in the 1km time trial.

On Friday Mark Colbourne has gone one better, scooping gold in the 3km pursuit – and setting another Paralympics record at the same time.

42-year-old Colbourne dedicated his gold medal to his late father Cecil, who died earlier this year.

Colbourne didn’t know if he would ever walk again, let alone become a record-breaking sportsman, after a paragliding accident left him partially paralysed.

But the Tredegar rider has set the cycling world ablaze since arriving in the sport, claiming a World Championship title and world record in the build-up to the Games.

Today he clocked a world record of 3:53.881 to triumph, with China's Li Zhang Yu second.

A post box has been painted gold in his honour in his home town. He has dedicated his victory to his father, who died of stomach cancer earlier this year. Mark's aunt, Glenys Cahill, told our reporter Kevin Ashford how the family is "so proud of him."