Simmonds crowned queen of the pool

Teenage swimming sensation Ellie Simmonds has been crowned queen of the pool as she dramatically defended her Paralympic title - by smashing the world record.

Simmonds, 17, had the Aquatics Centre in raptures as she touched home ahead of rival Victoria Arlen in a pulsating race.

She was trailing for much of the tussle but powered home in the final 50 metres, beating the previous world record - previously held by Arlen - by an incredible five seconds.

After the race, an emotional and "exhausted" Simmonds choked back tears as she paid tribute to the crowd. "It was so tough," she said. "It was so hard on the last 100 and I thought I have to put my head down and I will do it for everyone who has supported me. Everyone has been wishing me good luck and I did this for myself, my family and everyone."

Simmonds' remarkable victory capped a memorable Super Saturday for ParalympicsGB which left Britain in their targeted position of second in the table with a 34-medal haul. The tally includes nine golds, 14 silvers and 11 bronze medals.

Earlier, Richard Whitehead sent the Olympic Stadium into a frenzy as he powered back from way down the field to take gold in the T24 200m in world record time and golden couple Sarah and Barney Storey both won golds in their respective events in the Velodrome.

Former swimmer Storey had the crowd roaring from the start as she won her second gold of the Games in the C4/5 500m time-trial. And husband Barney picked up gold as a pilot when he guided Neil Fachie to victory in the tandem one-kilometre time-trial.

Natasha Baker became the first to win a gold medal in the equestrian event at Greenwich Park. The 22-year-old fought back emotion as she triumphed in the Grade II individual championship on her Games debut.

In the Olympic Stadium, Gemma Prescott, 28, won bronze in the F32 club throw, with Rob Womack, 41, matching the feat in the shot put.

Jody Cundy bounced back from disappointment in his favoured event to claim bronze in the men's C4 4km individual pursuit. On Friday, he was forced to apologise after launching a foul-mouthed tirade after being refused a re-start in the one-kilometre time-trial. And Jon-Allan Butterworth matched his silver from Friday by coming second in the men's C5 four-kilometres individual pursuit.