Simon Patmore wins Australia's first gold at Winter Paralympics

Simon Patmore has claimed Australia's first Winter Paralympics gold medal in 16 years, winning the snowboard cross final in PyeongChang.

PyeongChang gold medallist Simon Patmore wants more of his fellow Paralympians to diversify. (AAP) Source: AAP

Simon Patmore has become Australia’s first Paralympic snowboard medalist, after claiming the country's first gold medal in 16 years. 

The 30-year-old from Carseldine in Queensland has also become the first Australian man to win medals at both a Winter and Summer Paralympics, having won bronze in athletics at London 2012.

Patmore easily beat Italian Manuel Pozzerle in the two-man final of the upper limb disability class on Monday to win Australia's first medal of the Games.

The snowboarder has congenital Erb's palsy which affects muscle strength and movement in his left arm.

He was cheered on by Bunbury shark attack survivor Sean Pollard, who missed out on the snowboard cross quarter-finals by 0.13 seconds.

Patmore won bronze in the 200m T46 in London and 100m gold at the Commonwealth Games in the same class eight years ago.