New Zealand's Paralympic team were unable to add to their medal tally on their final day of the Tokyo Games, with Lisa Adams finishing seventh in Saturday's discus final.
While the 12 medal tally is down on the 21 at Rio 2016, COVID-19 lockdown at home has allowed more Kiwis than ever to witness some of our most inspiring athletes.
The first of six golden moments in Tokyo celebrated swimmer Topou Neiufi's inspirational journey, suffering from hemiplegia after a hit-and-run accident as a two-year-old to become a Paralympic gold medalist.
Shot putter Lisa Adams has a similar impairment and also took the nation's heart by following in the footsteps of sister Dame Val Adams.
These stories - and how Kiwis back home embraced them - have Paralympics NZ excited about the future.
"What we've seen is a massive increase in demand for Paralympic sports," says chief executive Fiona Allan. "The New Zealand public have really wanted to watch our Kiwi Paralympians."
Heroes like swim queen Sophie Pascoe, who added four more medals to her legacy, including golds in the 100 metre freestyle and 200 metre individual medley.
"She has really been a catalyst for changing Paralympic sport in New Zealand," says Allan. "She has demonstrated never to give up."
Javelin thrower Holly Robinson also demonstrated that quality, winning her maiden gold with a clutch final throw.
Records were broken, Anna Grimaldi backing up her long jump gold at Rio in style.
With 18 of the 29-strong NZ team making debuts at Tokyo, there's reason to be excited for more golden moments like this at Paris 2024.
