WILTSHIRE teenager Polly Maton finished a creditable seventh in the women's T47 long jump final on the first day of the Paralympic Games in Rio today.
Urchfont's Maton, a surprise selection for the ParalympicsGB athletics team for the Games, jumped a best distance of 5.10m on her debut at the showpiece event.
The 16 year old, trained by Colin Baross at the University of Bath shone in exalted company, being part of the top eight jumpers that progressed to the final three of six jumps in the 12-strong final.
New Zealand's Anna Grimaldi won gold with 5.62m, ahead of Cuba's Yunidis Castillo, with Australia's Carlee Beattie in bronze medal position.
Maton, who is seen as a top Great Britain prospect for the Games in Tokyo in four years' time, will also contest the T47 100m later this week.
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