By Elizabeth Hudson
BBC Sport in Athens |
Crates had finished third in the 400m in Sydney but made the switch up to the longer distance and it has paid off.
The Essex man won in one minute 57.90 seconds, showing a devastating burst of speed to beat Algerian Samir Nouioua and Jean de Dieu Nkundabera of Rwanda.
"I've waited so long to hear the words Paralympic champion and it has been well worth the wait," said Crates.
Crates, who lost an arm in a car accident 10 years ago, was always in touch in a steady first lap.
And, when the break came, the 31-year-old went with it and accelerated home for a memorable win.
"We all know each other so well that the nerves started to take over before the race," added Crates.
 |  It's better than the dreams - I'm Paralympic champion and it makes me feel so good |
"Someone forgot their spikes and someone else forgot their vest but I just tried to refocus on what I had to do on the track. "I've dreamt that sort of finish 100 times a day, but then I started to have doubts about it and wondered if it could really be like this.
"But it is better than the dreams. I'm the Paralympic champion and it makes me feel so good."
David Holding and Dave Weir qualified for Sunday's final of the T54 100m by finishing second in their semi-finals.
Holding clocked 14.52secs in the first race but was beaten by Finland's Leo Pekka Tahti.
And Weir, who set a new Paralympic record of 14.17secs in the morning heats, was just edged out by Dutchman Kenny van Weeghel in a time of 14.31secs.
"I had a poor start but I didn't panic and was able to make it up," said Weir.
"But I will have to put in some practice on my starts before the final as I think it will be a very fast race."
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
