Antonio Leme helped Brazil claim Paralympic boccia gold in the mixed pairs BC3 competition ©Getty Images

Brazil sent the home crowd into raptures here this evening by claiming Paralympic boccia gold in the mixed pairs BC3 competition at the expense of South Korea.

The hosts, whose team consisted of Antonio Leme, Evani Soares da Silva and Evelyn de Oliveira, upset  the odds to beat their much-fancied opponents 5-2.

Finding themselves 3-0 behind, South Korea managed to close the gap and tried to force a tie-break, but Brazil extended their lead and sealed a much-celebrated victory.

"This experience in Brazil of playing with the best of the world is a gift from God," said Oliveira.

"I want to say that by winning this gold medal we have reached our goal; to give an example to the world that people with disabilities can change their realities through sport."

The South Korean trio of Jeong Ho Won, Kim Han Soo and Choi Ye Jin had to settle for silver, while London 2012 champions Greece defeated Singapore 8-1 to win bronze. 

There was disappoint however for Brazil in the mixed pairs BC4 final earlier in the day as Dirceu Pinto, Eliseu dos Santos and Marcelo dos Santos lost 4-2 against Slovakia’s Samuel Andrejcik, Michaela Balcova and Robert Durkovic.

Defeat sees Pinto and Eliseu dos Santos surrender the title they won at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

Thailand retained their mixed team BC1-2 title ©Getty Images
Thailand retained their mixed team BC1-2 title ©Getty Images

"I said our goal was to play each match ball after ball," said Andrejcik on beating the two-time Paralympic champions.

"To get to the final was our goal but we reached even further. 

"We tried everything and to fight.

"The final was wonderful. 

"A wonderful conclusion for us."

Thailand finished third after beating Great Britain 3-2 in the bronze medal match.

The Asian nation went two better in the mixed team BC1-2 event, defending their title with a 9-4 win over Japan in a thrilling final. 

Japan’s foursome of Takayuki Kitani, TakayukiHirose, Yuriko Fujii and Hidetaka Sugimura established an early 1-0 advantage, but Thailand's team of Worawut Saengampa, Pattaya Tadtong, Subin Tipmanee and Watcharaphon Vongsa bounced back and were 6-1 up at the half-way point.

They went on to stretch their lead to 9-1 going in to the final end, and although Japan won that 3-0, it was nothing more than a consolation.

Portugal rounded out the podium thanks to a 6-2 victory over Argentina.