On the second day of the Paralympics, the U.S. struck gold for the first time.
It came in the water at Paris La Defense Arena as 20-year-old Gia Pergolini defended her Olympic title in the women's 100m backstroke S13.
Pergolini, an Atlanta native, dominated the Paralympic final, defeating Irish silver medalist Róisín Ní Ríain by more than two seconds for the victory in 1:04.93. Italy’s Carlotta Gilli took bronze.
"I am just so happy to be here representing one of the greatest countries in the world," Pergolini said. "Getting its first gold medal at the Paralympics is unreal. Especially after watching the Olympians dominate the Olympics, I wanted to do that here."
Pergolini is no stranger to the top of the podium in this event. At just 17, she won gold at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in world record fashion. Before her 21st birthday, she’s now a two-time Paralympic champion.
"I had a feeling I was pretty much ahead,” Pergolini said. “I was looking to the right, to the left, and I was like, 'where are they at?' And then I could see I was pretty ahead.
“And then I was like, 'OK, just hold on to your speed, don't die too hard.’ I was like, 'just keep pushing it, you're almost there.’”
Growing up, Pergolini competed in swimming, soccer, gymnastics and lacrosse but zoned in on swimming when she was diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease. She burst onto the scene in 2017, setting American and Pan Am records at the that year’s U.S. Paralympics Swimming World Championship Trials in the 100m backstroke S13.
For nearly a full decad sincee, the swimming sensation has owned the event and now boasts two Paralympic medals.
Thanks to Pergolini, the U.S. moved into 10th place in the overall medal count, with one gold and six silver medals. China leads with 24 overall medals.