JEANETTE Chippington made history when she became the first-ever Paralympic canoe champion with victory in the KL1 final in Rio, Brazil on Thursday.

Chippington, from Maidenhead, was the first of six British boats to go in the finals at the Lagoa Stadium, and she crossed first in 58.76 seconds. That was 0.114 seconds ahead of Edina Muller of Germany in second place.

Chippington has appeared in five consecutive games between 1988 and 2004, winning 12 swimming medals.

“It means a lot. I adore kayaking, I really do and I’ve been the leader for so long. I lost the lead at the World Championships this year so this is the ultimate one.

"To be the first champion as para-canoe makes its debut is amazing.

“When we crossed the line the German girl screamed as though she had got it and it wasn’t until I got to the pontoon that I realised I got first.

"It was amazing [when she received the medal]. I’ve worked so hard but in sports like this it could have gone any way.

“I’m so proud of myself, all my family are out here. To have got that gold, it’s as much for them as it is for me.”