Australian swimmer Alexa Leary broke a world record twice in one day as she won her first individual Paralympic gold medal on day seven of the Paris Paralympics.

The 23-year-old Queenslander setting a world record of 59.60s during the women’s 100m freestyle S9 heats at La Defense Arena in Paris before bettering that time in the final, touching the wall at 59.53s. She celebrated the triumph by dancing and performing the robot on the podium.

Three years ago, Leary fell off her bike in a near-fatal accident that left her with brain damage and several long-term injuries. At the time, she was told she’d never walk or talk again.

“It’s been a long, rough journey for me but it’s a miracle that I’m living and I’m walking and I’m talking,” Leary said.

“I’m just amazed that I did it. I really just wanted to break the world record and I did. Tonight was my show. It was a great one. I was so nervous. I was honestly frightened to go out there. I had to just pull something in me and go, ‘Come on Lex, let’s get it’.

“I’ve just come so far in life. Being told three years ago I wouldn’t live … but I am. I proved the world wrong.”

Earlier this week, Leary produced a superb anchor leg to help Australia win gold in the mixed 4x100m medley relay 34 points.

Elsewhere in the pool, Australia’s Ricky Betar won bronze in the men’s 200m individual medley S14, while Grant Patterson finished third in the men’s 50m breaststroke SB2.

Road cyclist Lauren Parker became the first Australian to earn two medals in different sports at the same Paralympics after winning silver women’s time trial H1-3. The Newcastle product also won gold in the triathlon earlier this week.

Australian table tennis competitor Qian Yang won her second gold medal in Paris, defeating Poland’s Natalia Partyka in straight sets to win the women’s singles class 10 title. Earlier this week, she combined with compatriot Li Na Lei to win gold in the women’s doubles WD20.Meanwhile, Australia’s wheelchair basketball team secured its first win of the Paris Games, a 78-74 victory over Spain in a classification qualifying game. Bill Latham notched a team-high 33 points.