Australian Institute of Sport sprinter Heath Francis was again in his element as he stretched clear of the field to win gold for Australia in the 400m arm amputee class final at the Beijing Paralympics.

The gold medal added to adding to his victory in the 200m earlier in the meet.

Francis owned the race throughout, slashing a second off his personal best and recording a new world record time of 47.69 seconds.

The gold medal was the third of the day for Australia, and it’s fifth at the Bird's Nest.

“It felt wonderful running [the race], but I’m a bit more tired now I’m finished, everything caught up,” Francis said.

 “That’s the secret of good training and good coaching, you get through the race and it feels okay, it’s just afterwards you feel the effects of it.

“This is the one [the 400m] that I’ve trained for the most, I’ve run the most… I’ve been in great shape this season and been improving every single time that I’ve run.

“I’ve peaked at just the right time, which I’d really like to take credit for but it’s all [AIS coach] Iryna’s work. It’s just absolutely amazing when it all comes together like that. You feel really blessed.”

After his win, Francis ran straight to his mother, who tried to take a photograph but couldn’t because her fingers were shaking too much.

In other results, Darren Thrupp (former AIS) finished 7th in the men’s cerebral palsy class 100m, while Angela Ballard (former AIS) finished 5th in the wheelchair class 100m.

 Hamish Macdonald (AIS) missed out on a medal in the men’s shot put.