LYDNEY parathlete hopeful Andy Lewis has bagged gold at his latest stint in Australia as part of his journey to the Rio Games in September.

The 33-year-old has started a blog (www. andyjlewis.co.uk) which details his Road to Rio – which in late June he will find out if he has qualified for.

Andy took part in the Australia WPE (World Paratriathlon Event) event where he swam 750m in 10 minutes, ran 5.1km in 21mins and cycled 20km in 32mins.

“At lap four, I had a two-minute lead. As I rack my bike in transition I have to swap my legs for running – this was the part I’ve been worrying about although my coaches told me it would be OK – they said I was a natural. Once I’ve swapped my legs over, I’m off.”

After a 30-hour flight – with very little sleep – Andy didn’t have time for a rest and was soon back training for the race.

He said: “We used a local gym and pool. As the days passed I became more and more nervous about racing, especially after my drastic result in Chicago last year where I did an extra lap on the bike by mistake.

“Ten days into the trip I was really starting to miss my family, especially my children; I missed my daughter’s ninth birthday.

“I received messages from her: ‘Dad, wish you were here’, ‘Dad, you’ve missed both of my birthdays now. When are you coming home?’

“When I receive these messages it hurts and feels like my heart is bleeding but then the other side of my brain and heart understand why I’m doing it and that I have to finish what I started.”

Speaking of his win in Australia, Andy added: “I didn’t just win the race, I won by three minutes. I couldn’t believe my performance. I was so happy. My confidence in my ability to win a Paralympic medal is now even more certain.

“After the race my emotions were running high, I had done what was set out to do and moved one step closer to getting my spot for Rio.”