Already no stranger to success as an athlete, Smith was assistant coach of the Australian men’s team that secured victory in the final of the wheelchair rugby.

The Steelers defended their Paralympic gold with an epic double overtime victory over their nemesis, edging the United States 59-58.

Rio's 12,500-seat Olympic Arena had been sold out for days for the sport they call 'Murderball' and it was a triumphant scene for one of the Australian team's most memorable moments over 11 days of Paralympics competition.

"In London we won every quarter of every game. But over the last couple of years teams have caught up to us and it was never going to be like that again," Steelers captain Ryan Scott said.

"There was always an asterisk over us because we avoided the US in London but we wanted this. We wanted to beat them and show everyone that we can do it."

Smith told The Courier it was an “amazing experience”.

“To go from an athlete competing and winning gold at the Paralympics in 2012 to physically preparing and assisting coaching the team for this Paralympics’ 2016 gold medal has been incredible,” Smith said.

“It's been a different roller coaster ride on a number of levels, but one that I am proud to have contributed in.

“The guys played fantastic right through the competition and deserved the gold medal. It has been quoted as the best game ever, which tells a story on just how great this win was.”

Smith has enjoyed a decorated career as a competitor in the Paralympics, with a total of nine medals across both athletics and wheelchair rugby.

The now 49-year-old won seven of those in athletics – including triple gold at the Sydney 2000 Games – before retiring from the sport in 2002. He then took up wheelchair rugby and claimed mixed team gold at the 2012 London Games.