Ben Tudhope has won Australia's first medal at the Beijing Winter Paralympics, claiming bronze in the men's snowboard cross SB-LL2.
Tudhope trailed the field in fourth place for much of the big final, but a barnstorming finish saw the 22-year-old pip China's Sun Qi to cross the line in third position to reach the podium.
It is Tudhope's first Paralympic medal in his third Games appearance.
Finland's Matti Suur-Hamari defended his 2018 gold from PyeongChang, with Garrett Geros of the United States taking the silver.
"I pushed and pushed and pushed," Tudhope told the Seven Network.
"I never gave up … I thought I was gone at the start as I was at the back. To get to the bronze-medal position, I cannot describe it. It's insane, it's insane."
Tudhope said he hope his bronze medal would inspire others to realise their dreams.
"If there is any kid out there with cerebral palsy, with a disability: you can achieve anything," he said.
Tudhope is the second Australian to win a medal in the Paralympic snowboard cross events.
Simon Patmore won gold in the men's snowboard cross SB-UL in PyeongChang and collected a bronze in the banked slalom event.
Tudhope had arrived in Beijing as the world number one on the back of outstanding lead-up form.
The Australian co-captain had claimed four consecutive snowboard cross World Cup gold medals and two Crystal Globes prior to the Games.
He looked sharp in Sunday's preliminary rounds, qualifying fourth fastest for the finals.
Tudhope produced measured performances in both his quarter-final and semi-final, finishing second in both races.
He was at the back of the field early in the big final, but timed his finish to perfection to ensure he came way with a medal.
Tudhope will also compete in the banked slalom on Saturday. He finished seventh in the event in PyeongChang.
He made his debut at the 2014 Games in Sochi as a 14-year-old.
Among the other Australian results on Monday, Mitch Gourlay finished 13th in the men's super combined standing event in the para alpine skiing program.
Patrick Jensen — with his guide Amelia Hodgson — did not finish in the men's super combined vision impaired category.
