China continues paralympic success

BEIJING: China continued its domination of the Paralympics track and field events Monday, notching its 31st gold in athletics ahead of the last night of swimming competition.

The host nation stood on 69 golds Monday afternoon, with 169 medals in total, and has now passed its haul of 63 titles in Athens.

With 11 more medals up for grabs in the evening session, six world records were set in seven finals during the morning at the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium, with China winning the women's discus and two other golds.

Canadian wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc -- chasing a fifth gold in these Games -- qualified for the 1,500 metres final in her class as she bids to add to her 100m, 200m and 400m and 800m titles.

Seventeen medals were on offer in the pool, where events have been dominated by South Africa's Natalie du Toit, with five medals.

Du Toit, who finished 16th in the Olympic 10 kilometre marathon swim last month, pledged Monday to aim for more Olympic and Paralympic glory.