Kiwi Holly Robinson has captured New Zealand's sixth gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics to 12, with her victory in the F45 javelin throw at the Olympic Stadium.
Trailling third into the final round, the world recordholder responded with a last-gasp 40.99m to eclipse British archrival Hollie Arnold and Dutch Noelle Roorda.
Competing in wet underfoot conditions, most of the field struggled to retain confident footing, but slowly warmed into the contest.
Arnold took an early lead with an opening 39.05m and extended her advantage with 39.75m in the fourth round. After three rounds, less than a metre covered the top four throwers, with Robinson third on 38.68m.
Roorda challenged Arnold with a fifth effort of 39.26m, setting up a tense final round where the podium order was flipped on its head.
First, Robinson tossed her winning distance, before Roorda responded with a personal best 40.06m to snatch silver from Arnold, who had nothing left to give.
"That last throw, I couldn't believe it," she says. "Realising that it was the gold medal after the last throw was something I've wanted for so long and it's finally here - all the emotions just come at you at once."
The result represented sweet revenge for the Kiwi, throwing with a lower left-arm deficiency, who had finished second to Arnold at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and three times at world championships.
"So many times, I've thrown a good throw in the last round, gone to No.1, only to be beaten," she sobs. "I was just waiting for that last throw to go and once it was, it was a moment you never forget.
"I've been fighting and fighting and fighting for so long - getting that gold means a lot. The distance didn't really reflect what I'm capable of, but really proud to bring it out on the last throw."
The outcome also capped a triumphant day for the NZ Paralympic team, with long jumper Anna Grimaldi also taking out the F47 long jump with 5.76m.
New Zealand has now won 12 medals at Tokyo, including six gold, with swim star Sophie Pascoe prevailing over S9 100m freestyle and SM9 200m individual medley, fellow swimmer Tupou Neiufi leading home the S8 100m backstroke and Lisa Adams dominating the F37 shot put.
The last Kiwis will compete on Saturday, with Adams an outside chance in the F37 discus. The Tokyo Paralympics end on Sunday.
Friday, September 3 (NZ times)
SWIMMING
Noon Women's 50m butterfly heats - Nikita Howarth (S7), 5th 38.46s (progresses to final)
Women's 50m butterfly final - Nikita Howarth (S7), 6th 36.92s
CYCLING
Women's road race - Sarah Ellington (C2), 12th 1h 21m 23s
ATHLETICS
Women's long jump final - Anna Grimaldi (F47), 1st 5.76m (Paralympic record, gold medal)
Women's javelin final - Holly Robinson (F46), 1st 40.99m (gold medal)
CANOE
Men's semi-finals - Corbin Hart (KL3), 5th 42.290s (progresses to B final)
Men's B final - Corbin Hart (KL3), 5th 44.182s
Men's final - Scott Martlew (KL2), 4th 42.880s
