Paralympics: Dias wins his sixth gold in men's S5 100m freestyle

LONDON: Brazil's Daniel Dias won his sixth gold of the Games in the men's S5 100m freestyle, while Spain's Sebastian Rodriguez, a former member of a banned militant group once jailed for a political killing, took bronze.

Dias, 24, who was born without hands and feet, said: "It (his sixth gold) means the world to me, especially this year when I lost my grandmother.

"I always believed in what I was capable of. I wanted to bring some medals home, but I wasn't sure they would be gold."

Rodriguez's bronze is his third medal of the Games after he picked up silver in the S9 50m and 200m freestyle. He previously won six gold medals at Sydney and Athens in 2000 and 2004.

He told reporters that at the age of 55, it was hard work to get him to the starting blocks -- and said it was impossible to avoid his previous life of crime, although he hoped there would now be more focus on his achievements.

"I have my past, which is unavoidable, as much as I may wish to change it. And also my age and winning medals against kids who could be nearly my grandchildren," he added.

"It (the media attention) does not bother me. Each of us has their history. The only thing I don't like is that they (the media) said I had hidden the reason for my disability. I never did that."

Rodriguez, who said his life has been changed by sport, lost the use of his legs after going 432 days without food while in jail. He was released from prison in 1994 and received a government pardon in 2007. (AFP)