Cameron Leslie has added another gold to New Zealand's tally at the para-swimming world championships in London.
The two-time Paralympic champion stood proudly atop the podium, after winning the S4 50m backstroke title in a time of 42.13s - a new Oceania record.
Leslie finished ahead of Russian swimmer Roman Zhdanov, who'd broken the world record with a time of 41.50s during heats.
The win was more impressive because the Northland native had only just arrived in London, after helping another New Zealand team to glory in South Korea.
Leslie helped the Wheel Blacks - New Zealand's wheelchair rugby team - claim a bronze medal at the Asia Oceania zone championships to secure a spot at next year's Tokyo Paralympics.
"After this morning, I knew I could do better and I knew I could hold a higher rating for longer, so that was what we went out to do," he said.
"I was really surprised Roman didn't go so well. He broke a world record in the morning, but struggled in the final.
"You've got to be able to step it up in the evening and race when it matters."
Leslie admits the week has been "hectic", with his swimming medal to go along with wheelchair rugby success. The Wheel Blacks last qualified for the Paralympics in 2008.
"I've played wheelchair rugby for nine years for New Zealand and never achieved a goal [qualifying for the Paralympics], so it's been a hectic week.
"It's been a really hard balancing act, but luckily there's a really good support team to help you make the right choices, to put your best foot forward when it comes to a race like this."
Top Kiwi para-swimmer Sophie Pascoe has won three golds during the world championships and still has the S9 50m freestyle event to contest.
Newshub.
