China have been the standouts at these Paralympics, with more than five times the golds of Australia. Great Britain (30) and the United States (19) have also shown their dominance.

The Refugee Paralympic Team has secured two bronze medals, while Russian and Belarusian athletes competing for the Neutral Paralympic Athletes team have picked up 15 golds. The NPA team does not feature on the official medal tally.

Which Australian athletes have been shining?

The gold medals have been relatively spread out for Australia across the six days of competition, with Tom Gallagher claiming the country’s first on the opening night in the pool in the men’s 50m freestyle (S10). All Paralympians have a terrific story to tell and Gallagher’s was no different. He almost died after the Games in Tokyo due to a pancreatitis attack that saw him rushed to hospital.

Australia has won at least one gold medal each day but not more than two. The most successful days - in terms of golds - have been day two (August 30), day three (August 31) and day five (September 2).

Australia’s women have taken four of the nine golds, the men have picked up three, while there were two in mixed events (4x100m medley relay and PR3 mixed double sculls).

How are Australia’s teams going?

Wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball are the two main team sports that Australia compete in.

The Steelers (wheelchair rugby) lost their first match against Great Britain 58-55 but rebounded to make a semi-final. Australia were in strong position for victory but fell to a try to Japan (52-51) in extra time. A day later, Australia improved on their fourth place finish from Tokyo by exacting revenge on Great Britain in a 50-48 win for the bronze medal.

The Rollers (wheelchair basketball) suffered three straight defeats early in the tournament to the Netherlands (66-55), Spain (68-60) and USA (76-69) but still qualified for a quarter-final because all eight teams make it.

However, Australia were defeated 84-64 by Great Britain on Tuesday.

Who to keep an eye on for the rest of the Games

Highlights include swimmer Alex Leary in her 100m freestyle event (Thursday 3:35am AEST), where she is favoured for gold. Leary nearly lost her life in a bike accident before winning relay gold on Monday with a stunning final leg.

Cyclist Darren Hicks (MC2 individual time trial) and table tennis star Qian Yang (women’s singles class TT10) are both strong gold medal chances on Wednesday, local time.

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World record holder Vanessa Low (T61 long jump), Lauren Parker (road cycling) and boccia world No.1 pair Dan Michel and Jamieson Leeson are all vying for gold in the coming days. Curtis McGrath, who lost his legs after being wounded by an explosive device in Afghanistan, is back for more Paralympic gold in his kayak events.