Russia's cross country skier Irek Zaripov took his fourth gold at the 2010 Paralympics in Canada's Vancouver after winning the Men's 10 km, Sitting.

Zaripov's new medal is Russia's ninth Paralimpics gold. Earlier, the 26-year-old athlete won gold in the Men's 2.4km, 15km and 12.5 km, Sitting.

Zaripov said he hoped to grab two golds at the Games, but the fourth medal was a surprise for him.

"I have set a minimum task of taking two gold medals and I have exceeded this. The dreams came true," Zaripov said after wining the event.

Italy's Enzo Masiello finished behind Zaripov with over a minute and 12 seconds to win the bronze medal, while Dzmitry Loban took the bronze finishing some four seconds after the Italian skier.

Ukraine's Iurii Kostyuk and Russia's Roman Petushkov finished the distance at the Whistler Paralympics Park coming in the fourth and fifth places, respectively.

With a total of 28 medals, including nine gold, 12 silver and 7 bronze medals, Russia has a solid lead in the unofficial medal count of the 2010 Paralympics.

Its closest rival, Germany, has seventeen medals, including nine gold, four silver and four bronze.

MOSCOW, March 19 (RIA Novosti)