Anastasiia Gontar was the third Russian Paralympic Committee swimmer to clinch gold on day one of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, triumphing in the women’s S10 50-metre freestyle final.

The race proved an exciting one, with 20-year-old Gontar earning her first Paralympic medal at the expense of The Netherlands’ Chantalle Zijderveld, who finished just 0.04sec behind in second.

Gontar’s time of 27.38 fell only 0.01 short of the world record set by Canada’s Aurelie Rivard at the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

The Surgut-born swimmer had been the fastest qualifier for the final in the heats, finishing in 27.48.

Since childhood, Gontar has had scoliosis, which causes a curvature of the spine, and underwent an operation in 2014 at the age of 13 to insert titanium screws into her back.

Gontar has previously spoken of the pain the condition caused her, explaining, "I had a hump on my back and my height was decreased by 10 centimetres," and "I would not wish it on anyone."

Anastasiia Gontar's time of 27.38 seconds was just 0.01 short of Aurelie Rivard's world record in the women's S10 50m freestyle set at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images
Anastasiia Gontar's time of 27.38 seconds was just 0.01 short of Aurelie Rivard's world record in the women's S10 50m freestyle set at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

She has also described the difficulties she faced after the operation, and paid tribute to her coach and parents for believing in her.

The Paralympian has said she continued to swim because of her love for the sport, which she began aged five.

Gontar’s philosophy is "do not give in to difficulties. 

"Overcome all obstacles."

She has been awarded the Master of Sport of International Class honour in Russia.

Medicine is cited as one of her hobbies, a subject which Gontar studies at Surgut State University.