AN inspiring high jumper from Colchester has won a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games following a sensational display. 

Jonathan Broom-Edwards, aged 33, is a British para-sport athlete who was born with congenital talipes equinovarus in his left foot.

He also has issues with his right foot, a weak right knee and a muscular imbalance throughout his body. 

Having previously won silver at the Rio Paralympic Games in 2016, Colchester-born Jonathan was vying for the elusive top prize during Friday's T64 high jump final.

Quite literally rising to the occasion, Jonathan landed an impressive leap of 2.10 metres, which was enough to win gold ahead of Praveen Kumar and Maciej Lepiato.

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Following his victory in the Tokyo National Stadium Jonathan said: "Just to get it right, at the right time, I’m relieved, elated, excited, crying my eyes out. 

"It’s an emotional rollercoaster. I don’t think I’ll sleep tonight. 

"I’ve been striving for it, and it was horrible conditions out there for all of us. To keep my cool, get it right when it counted, I’m really proud of myself.

“I can’t even describe the emotions."

Jonathan has since taken to Twitter to thank those closest to him for the support they gave him ahead of his medal-winning jump.

He wrote: “I have made many sacrifices on this road and my family, friends and loved ones have been there right alongside, feeling and living the sacrifices.

“To those that have stuck by me, from the deepest part of my heart, I thank you. This medal was for you just as much as it was for me.”

High jumper Jonathan has also put his impressive victory down to being able to keep a cool head in the heat of the moment.

He revealed he’s worked hard on his mental health since 2016 in a bid to stay focused under pressure. 

He said: “For the last five years I’ve worked on my head, my mind. 

"I practise mindfulness and meditation. Nothing can compare to that environment out there, it’s a whole new level of competition. 

"To keep calm is challenging. I did notice myself wobbling a little, but to bring it back, it’s just through daily practice. 

"I try to do it to help my mental health as well as stay focused on the goal at hand. I’ve stopped all superstitious rituals because, as we saw with the rain today, anything can happen. 

"I just try to keep it as simple as I can with certain cues and be patient with it. I try to make the right decisions - stretching, sleeping on time, eating the right things. 

“It has made a big difference, not getting freaked out by the failures."