Du Toit took part in last month's Olympics

South African swimmer Natalie Du Toit won the women's 50m freestyle to clinch her fifth gold medal of the 2008 Paralympics in record time.

Du Toit won her fifth medal in some style, winning the event in a record Paralympic time of 29.20 seconds.

It was nearly not enough though, with Russia's Irina Grazhdanova finishing 0.13 seconds behind.

Her victory means Du Toit, 24, matches the gold medal haul she won at the 2004 Olympics, where she also won a silver.

She adds to the golds already won in the 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle, 200m individual medley and 400m freestyle events.

BBC PARALYMPICS BLOG The triumph brought the curtain down on a highly successful meet for the inspirational Du Toit Elizabeth Hudson

"I think right now it's more the relief than thinking about five gold medals," said Du Toit, who is one of only two athletes to have taken part in both Games in Beijing this year

"It's about going out there and doing personal best times. I'm happy with my performance."

She narrowly missed out on taking part in the 2000 Sydney Olympics before having her left leg amputated at the knee after a motorcycle accident a year later.

She also finished 16th in the 10km open water race at last month's Olympics.