Rio 2016: Ahmed Kelly – Paralympic swimming

Elite swimmer Ahmed Kelly, whose nickname is 'liquid nails', is representing Australia at his third Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

An Iraqi orphan, Kelly was born with double below-elbow and above-knee limb loss – probably a result of exposure to chemical weapons in utero.

His main event is the 50m breaststroke SB3 classification, but he also competes in the 50m freestyle S4, 150m individual medley SM4, 50m backstroke and the 4 x 50m freestyle relay 20 points.

He won the silver medal in the men's 150m individual medley SM3 at the 2019 world Para Swimming Championships in London.

Kelly made his Paralympic debut at the London 2012 Games with his sisters, Trishna and Krishna, the Bangladeshi conjoined twins who were famously separated in 2009, cheering him on from the stands.

Emily Angwin reports this story from Seven News Melbourne, broadcast on 27 July 2016 in the lead up to the Rio 2016 Paralympics. Seven has held exclusive Australian broadcast rights to the Paralympics since the 2016 Games, so this story is designed to make people tune into their coverage.

Seeing as the Games haven't taken place yet, this is a good example of a news story relying on file footage – in this case of Kelly at previous Paralympic Games – to illustrate his prowess.

The compelling human story of Ahmed's background that is told here, along with his obvious talent and determination, draws in the viewer and leaves them wanting to see him taste victory.

Notes by Beth Taylor