FORMER Alton College student David Smith has won boccia gold at the Paralympics in Rio.

Having been part of the team which won gold in Beijing in 2008 and both individual silver and team bronze in London 2012, individual gold in Rio completes the set for David.

David, previously at Treloar College, was born with cerebral palsy and was introduced to the game of boccia at the age of six. He was world champion by the time he was 18.

Having achieved a degree in aerospace engineering at Swansea University, he returned to the Paralympics this year hoping to go one better than London four years ago, and succeeded.

David’s gold was the only medal won by Team GB in boccia.

While at Alton College, David studied maths, further maths, physics and PE.

Dr David Lynch, curriculum manager for maths, said: “David’s determination and enthusiasm has clearly helped him win his second gold and fourth Paralympic medal.”