This is why Lantz Lamback moved last November to Colorado Springs, Colo.

This is why he worked full time at the U.S. Olympic Training Center to become a better swimmer.

This is why he continued to pursue his dream.

The 22-year-old Augustan set a world record in the 100-meter backstroke, winning his first Paralympic Games gold medal Wednesday morning in Beijing.

"I saw that on (The Augusta Chronicle ) Web site and started crying," said Donna Lamback, his mother. "It was just overwhelming. I know how hard he's trained."

"I'm proud of him," said Paul Lamback, his younger brother. "He finally got what he's been working for the past five years."

Mr. Lamback won the S7 division of the 100 back with a time of 1 minute, 12.09 seconds. He defeated his nearest competitor by more than two seconds. Mr. Lamback also shaved almost two seconds off the previous world record he set in the heat earlier in the day.

"The race really starts after the turn. You can go out as hard as you want, but if you can't hold it up, you won't win," Mr. Lamback said. "I had a good turn and brought it home from there. The gold feels awesome.

"My brother told me if you're not the big dog in the yard, you've got to fight for the yard. This morning I took the yard. The only problem with being the big dog is that then you have to hold the yard."

Mr. Lamback, who has cerebral palsy, added his second medal of the week after claiming silver in the 100-meter freestyle. He owns four Paralympic medals, including two bronzes he won in 2004.

"Hopefully, he won't get any bronze this year," Mrs. Lamback said. "Hopefully, it'll be just gold and silver."

Mr. Lamback fell short in his bid to add a third medal when the U.S. relay team finished sixth in the 4x100 freestyle later Wednesday. The relay team did, however, set an American record by nine seconds.

Mr. Lamback will bid for a second gold when he competes in the 400-meter freestyle this morning.