Ben Tudhope named Australian flag bearer for Winter Paralympics closing ceremony

Para-snowboard cross bronze medallist Ben Tudhope will be Australia's flag bearer at the Beijing Winter Paralympics closing ceremony.

With a day to go in the Beijing Games, three-time Paralympian Tudhope has won Australia's only medal so far.

It is the 22-year-old's second time as closing ceremony flag bearer after he previously had the honour as a 14-year-old in 2014.

«It's amazing. To finish off my Beijing campaign with this achievement, to be Australian flag bearer is absolutely incredible,» Tudhope said.

«I couldn't think of a better way to finish the Games after the bronze, after everything the team have been through, I'm proud to be an Aussie and I'm proud to be on this team.

»Back when I was 14, it was a true surprise, it was in the moment, it was about the experience.

Para-alpine skier Rae Anderson places seventh in the slalom standing category in Beijing, while fellow Australian Melissa Perrine finishes her Paralympic career on an emotional note.

«Being a bit bigger, learning what the Paralympic movement is about and knowing everything about the Aussie team and who have come before me as well, it's a true honour this time.

»I know the true responsibility it actually means to actually hold the flag and to represent Australia."

Australian chef de mission Kate McLoughlin said Tudhope «thoroughly deserved» the title of two-time flag bearer at the age of 22.

«Ben is an athlete who everyone has seen in the last couple of weeks is not only a champion athlete, obviously he's done amazingly well, but he's also a pretty amazing Australian,» McLoughlin said.

Tudhope, who also finished ninth in banked slalom, was Australia's co-captain alongside outgoing para-alpine skier Melissa Perrine.

Australia's campaign finishes on Sunday when