SANTIAGO, Chile — The big names in the athletics at the 2023 Para Pan American Games showed that they are still at the top of the game with gold going the way of the superstars on the first day of competition on the track and in the field.
Omar Durand (guide: Yuniol Kindalen) cruised to gold in the women’s 200m T12 for the third straight time. It wasn’t just winning that was expected it was the margin as the Cuban finished two seconds clear of silver medalist Alejandra Perez (VEN) with a time of 23.63.
That wasn’t her best time of the event, breaking the meet record with a 23.59 in the qualifying round. If she can shave half a second in the next year she could break her own world record in Paris.
One world record did fall, with Elizabeth Rodrigues (BRA) breaking her own women’s discus F53 record. At 58 years old Rodrigues just keeps getting better, breaking the world record she set in Tokyo with a throw of 17.80m, winning the gold and sending a message to the rest of the world.
“I am extremely happy with this world record. It means that the work that we are doing is great. I am already preparing for Paris 2024, but this result in the Parapan American Games makes me feel like if I were in my first competition”, said Rodrigues after the event.
Brazil’s favorites continued winning in the men’s 5000m T11 with Yeltsin Jacques Ortega (guide: Edelson De Avila) running 15:13.10. That saw him demolish the meet record by 26 seconds, showing continued improvement after winning gold in Tokyo.
There was a Brazilian battle in the women’s 200m T11 in a thrilling race. Jerusa Gerber edged out Thalita Simplico, reversing their finishing order from the Paralympic Games where they were second and third. Gerber went on to tell the world that the 100m is the one she really expects to do well as it is her preferred event.
Another meet record fell in the women’s shot put F20 through Poleth Isamar Mendes (ECU) as she extended the record with a throw of 13.91 for her second straight gold in the event.
The biggest upset of the day came in the men’s 400m T38 as American Ryan Medrano beat Mexico’s Paralympic Champion, Jose Rodolfo Chessani.
Brazil is well out in front in the Para Pan American Games medal tally with 67 gold, 45 silver and 43 bronze. The USA is second but well off the pace with 20 gold.
All photos: Marcelo Hernández / Santiago 2023 via Photosport
MANCHESTER, England, United Kingdom – As the International Paralympic Committee seeks to get out of being a sports governing body they announced their next step in removing swimming and athletics from their management. On Tuesday the IPC announced UK Sport and the British Paralympic Association as the partners to create those governing bodies.
The process began almost one year ago with the IPC calling for expressions of interest. 12 were received for these two sports and the decision of the IPC Governing Board was in favor of UK Sport and the BPA to run both sports.
UK Sport and the BPA’s proposal included setting up a headquarters for both sports in Manchester which will put further distance with the IPC based in Switzerland. It is not clear how the organizations will be distanced from the British bodies.
With this announcement the next phase will be entering into negotiations on how the new bodies will take shape. Since UK Sport and the BPA are the preferred partners these will be exclusive negotiations.
Under the proposal both sports will have independent governance structures but have joint resources, thus cutting down on costs for the new bodies.
“We are extremely grateful and excited to begin exclusive discussions with UK Sport and the BPA regarding the transfer of governance of the sports of Para athletics and Para swimming,” said IPC President Andrew Parsons.
“The establishment of independent and stand-alone international Para sport federations represents an exciting period of transition and development for Para athletics and Para swimming,” said Dame Katherine Grainger, Chair of UK Sport. “A new home in Manchester is a huge vote of confidence for the city which is becoming a real hub for Para sport, and we are very pleased that these new federations will be based here in the UK.”
World Swimming and World Athletics were both supportive of the decision which likely suggests that unlike the International Ski Federation they were not interested in the role.
BOSTON — For the first time the Boston Marathon added lower and upper limb and vision impairment classifications to the event for prize money resulting in eight para champions on Monday.
Chaz Davis (USA) won the men’s T11-12 race in a time of 2:46:52 while Misato Michista (JPN), who was the face of these new classifications, won the women’s race in 3:08:14. The other visually impaired classification saw another US win in the men’s race Christopher Lancaster crossing the line in 3:38:15, the women’s winner was faster with Tayana Passos winning in 3:25:45.
Americans dominated the prosthetic classification (T61-64) races with Cheseto Lemtukei winning the men’s race (2:53:09) while Liz Willis won the women’s in 4:04:01.
Marcel Hug (SUI) made up for losing the Chicago Marathon a day before by being the first person over the finish line in Boston. Hug was beaten by Daniel Romanchuk in Chicago and was determined to restore his place as the top wheelchair racer in the world. Hug finished in 1:18:11 and could well have broken the course record as he missed a turn, following the race marshal car instead of the course and missed the record by seven seconds.
“The car went straight and I followed the car. But it’s my fault. I should have gone right,” reflected Hug after the race.
It was a Swiss double in the wheelchair classification as Manuela Schaer claimed the women’s wheelchair win. Schaer defended her title from two years ago with a blistering 1:35:21 finishing 25 minutes ahead of American Tatyana McFadden who was second.
Racers will now return to Tokyo where this time the marathon will be run in the Paralympic Games city, it will be a different course to Tokyo 2020 which wasn’t run in the city.
BOSTON —For the first time in its 126 year history the Boston Marathon will award prize money to para-athletes. There will be three divisions in men’s and women’s categories with vision impaired, upper limb, and lower limb classifications now being awarded prize money.
The Boston Marathon has long been a leader in the field of allowing para-athletes to compete in the event being the first major marathon to have a wheelchair race which began in 1975.
2013 was an inspiration for change in how the event treats para-athletes. The bombing at the finish line left many competitors in need of a prosthetic and that pushed the organizers to try and find a way to honor the long contribution that para competitors have had in the race.
That led to a prize pool being established for para runners and in 2021 para-athletes will claim money from winning the event rather than just world rankings points. $1,500 will be awarded to the male and female winner in each of the classifications, the prize money was due to start in 2020 but the COVID-19 pandemic made that impossible.
Wheelchair athletes have been competing with money for several years and that has led to a big increase in the number of athletes in that division that compete in Boston. Organizers are hoping that the same will happen in these three divisions.
238 runners will compete across the six para divisions although organizers are expecting many more to compete recreationally that aren’t registered in the formal elite divisions.
TOKYO — It was a perfect end to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games for the host nation as Japanese competitors found themselves on the podium all day.
Marathons take headlines
Photo:Alex Davidson
Misato Michishita came into her home Paralympic Games knowing it would be her last and wanted to make it count. She did so as she upgraded her silver medal five years ago winning the women’s T12 marathon. Two more Japanese athletes claimed medals on the streets with two bronze medals through Tadashi Horikoshi in the men’s T12 and Tsutomu Nagata in the men’s T46.
Outside of the notable Japanese results, Marcel Hug (SUI) continued to assert his dominance in the men’s T54. The win was his fourth gold in Tokyo, completing a clean sweep of the T54 classification.
Japan falls late in wheelchair basketball final
Photo: OIS
It was a stunning tournament for the Japanese men’s wheelchair basketball team but it fell heartbreakingly short as the hosts were forced to settle for silver. It was ever so close, as Japan was pushing the USA all the way and with five minutes to play Japan had the lead.
It was at that point that the Americans got hot and went on a run to take the game away from Japan and win 64-60. The win gave the USA a double of the men’s five-on-five basketball in the Olympics and Paralympics while Japan became the first Asian country to reach the final in men’s wheelchair basketball.
Japanese teenager stuns the world in badminton
Photo: Kiyoshi Ota
The first Paralympic badminton tournament finished stunningly as 19-year-old Daiki Kojiwara (JPN) claimed gold in the men’s singles WH2. Jun Jung Kin (KOR) came into the tournament as the heavy favourite coming in as the four-time world champion. Despite that, the youngster outclassed his more decorated opponent to claim the win in straight games.
There was more joy for the hosts in the women’s doubles WH1-2 as the pair of Sarina Satomi and Yuma Yamazaki claimed gold. They lost the first game to the Chinese pair of Liu Yutong and Yin Menglu but came back to claim the 2-1 win.
Close finish in shooting
Photo: OIS
Veronica Vadovicova (SLO) finally claimed her Tokyo 2020 gold medal in a nail-biter at the shooting range. Coming into the final round the veteran was in a close fight but she did enough in the final round, claiming victory by just 0.4 points.
By comparison, the women’s sitting volleyball wasn’t close, the United States only dropped one set on the way to a 3-1 win over China.
TOKYO — Saturday was the second last day of events at Tokyo 2020 which saw history made in badminton and more team champions crowned.
Indonesian badminton pair makes history
Photo: BWF
History was made on the badminton courts as the Indonesian pair of Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu added Paralympic gold to their Olympic gold won earlier this year. They made light work of the Chinese pair winning 21-18, 21-12 to claim the women’s doubles SL3-SU5. That win made the pair the first people to claim Paralympic and Olympic gold at the same Games.
The honor of being the first Paralympic badminton champion went to Cheah Liek Hou (MAS) as he managed a clinical performance in the men’s SU5.
Home hopes were dashed in the women’s SU5 as Yang Qiu Xia (CHN) defeated Ayako Suzuki convincingly 21-17, 21-9. Japan did manage a gold medal later in the day as the women’s WH1 was won by Sarina Satomi who came back from a game down to beat Sujirat Pookkaham (THA).
Pramod Bhagat (IND) confidently predicted that he would win gold in Tokyo and delivered it by winning the men’s SL3. He claimed the win in two games, claiming a 21-14, 21-17 win, coming back from 4-11 down in the second game.
China claimed two more gold medals to lead the way in the sport, the first came through Qu Zi Mo whose opponent retired while down in the second game in the men’s WH1. An all-Chinese final in the women’s WH2 was claimed by Liu Yu Tong who won both games 21-15.
India claimed gold and silver in the mixed 50m pistol SH1 as the country continued its most successful Paralympic Games ever. The medals took India to 17 medals, four of them gold, coming into these Games India had only won 12 medals in 11 appearances, improving from the previous best of Rio 2016 when four medals were won.
Manish Narwal, at just 19 years old, showed nerves of steel to claim gold, shooting a Paralympic record of 218.2. His teammate, Singhraj Adana, 20 years his senior, claimed his second medal of these Games finishing on 216.7. Adana thanked his wife after claiming silver, her lucky hat doing the trick.
It was a dramatic comeback from the Indian pair who were sitting fourth and fifth at the beginning of the elimination stages but calmed down to get the top two medals.
Azerbaijan athletics success continues
Photo: Lintao Zhang
Azerbaijan continued its best Games with two gold medals in athletics at the National Stadium on Saturday.
Lamiya Valieva claimed gold in the women’s 400m T13, setting a new Paralympic record time of 55.00, Azerbaijan’s first track gold ever. Orkhan Aslanov backed up his teammate claiming gold in the men’s long jump with a leap of 7.36m. After his win, he credited the energy to make the big jump to Valieva’s win energizing him and spurring him on.
There was history for Jordan which claimed its first athletics Paralympic gold medal when Ahmad Hindi won the men’s shot put F34 with a world record throw of 12.15m. By comparison, Hannah Cockroft (GBR) won her seventh gold medal, keeping her perfection intact. Cockroft cruised to the win in the women’s 800m T34, winning by over 10 seconds.
After switching from CP Football when it was removed from the Paralympic program Nick Mayhugh (USA) became a star of athletics and claimed a new world record in the men’s 100m T37. Mayhugh scorched the track running a time of 21.91 finishing over one second clear, vindicating his decision to switch.
Brazil remains perfect
Photo courtesy IBSA Football
There was never a doubt, Brazil continued its Paralympic blind football undefeated record claiming gold against rivals Argentina at Aomi Urban Sports Park with a 1-0 win.
The goal would have been a deserved winner in any football match coming in the 13th minute of the second half. Nonato made a phenomenal run through the Argentine defense weaving between two defenders, powering it with his left foot past the keeper to win gold. Brazil’s defense held firm keeping a clean sheet meaning the side didn’t concede a goal in the tournament.
History was made in the bronze medal match as Morocco wrapped up its stunning tournament with a medal, winning bronze. Continuing to persist with three deep defenders and a lone striker it paid off as the side claimed a 4-0 win.
It only took three minutes for Morocco to open the scoring as Zouhair Snisla ran through the Chinese defense to score. He’d double up two minutes before the break to put his side well and truly in control. He scored two more in the second half to wrap up the win, creating joyous scenes after the match.
Alcott and Kunieda claim fourth gold medals
Photo: Paralympics Australia
Dylan Alcott (AUS) edged closer to completing his quest of being the first quad player to win the wheelchair tennis golden slam as he claimed gold in the quad singles on Saturday. Alcott was forced to fight for the first set, winning it in a tiebreak but he used that momentum to power away in the second set and win 6-1 to defend his title and win his fourth Paralympic gold medal after a double in 2016 and wheelchair basketball gold in 2008.
Shingo Kunieda (JPN) sealed gold for the hosts in the men’s singles completing his comeback from a disappointing result in Rio five years ago. Kunieda was much too strong for Tom Egberink (NED) winning in straight sets 6-1, 6-2.
While it was a rare down day for the Netherlands the country couldn’t go a day without winning a wheelchair tennis gold as the Dutch swept the women’s medals. Diede de Groot backed up from winning the singles a day earlier to claim doubles gold with her partner Aniek van Koot, winning the second set tiebreak to win 6-2, 7-6.
Dutch avenge group stage loss to claim gold
Photo: Adam Pretty
Netherlands’ success continued at the Ariake Arena as the Dutch claimed their first women’s wheelchair basketball gold medal. The side only lost one game, to China, which they faced again in the gold medal match.
It was a dominant performance from the winners especially on the defensive side as they restricted China to cruise to a 50-31 win. Bo Kramer was the star for the gold medalists falling just short of a double-double with 15 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
The USA claimed the bronze medal match completing a disappointing tournament for Germany, winning 64-51. Rose Hollerman starred with a triple-double with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists while Lindsey Zurbrugg led the scoring with 22 points.
Tiebreak wraps up archery competition
Photo: World Archery
RPC managed a dramatic comeback to claim the final archery gold medal of Tokyo 2020 as they claimed the mixed team recurve title. The RPC came from behind to beat Italy in a tiebreak that took two arrows to wrap up.
Italy led 4-2 but from there RPC came back and won the next set with a 10 to take it away from the Italians and force a tiebreak. The first tiebreak saw both archers hit nine but in the second Elisabetta Mijno faltered hitting an eight allowing Kirll Smirnov to come through and win with a nine.
Thailand wins third straight boccia gold
Photo: World Boccia
Watcharaphon Vongsa was the star for Thailand again as he led his side to a third straight gold medal in the boccia BC 1-2 team event. After trailing China 2-0 in the first end the Thais came back and scored eight straight points to win 8-2.
Another all-Asian final was claimed by the Korea Republic in the BC3 team event winning a tiebreak after a 4-4 tie. The tiebreaker was just as close with the Koreans ending up just closer than the Japanese ball to claim a one-point win.
The final title was claimed by Slovakia which won the BC4 team gold with a 3-2 win over China.
Great Britain tops canoe medal tally
Photo: ICF
British paddlers claimed two more gold medals on Saturday to help the country top the spot in the canoe medal tally.
Charlotte Henshaw won the first British gold vindicating her switch from swimming as she managed a dominant win in the women’s KL2 final. Another British paddler who switched from another sport claimed the other gold. Laura Sugar swapped from athletics in 2018 and won the gold in the women’s KL3.
Curtis McGrath (AUS) completed the double as he added the VL3 to his earlier KL3 becoming the first athlete to win two canoeing gold medals in the same Games. Edina Mueller (GER) pulled off a shock in the women’s KL1, backing up her strong heat performance.
After missing out on his home Games five years ago Rufino de Paulo (BRL) was back and won the gold he missed out on in Rio. De Paulo charged home in the men’s VL2 to win an emotional gold medal.
Iran wins seventh volleyball gold
Photo: World Para Volley
Iran defended the men’s sitting volleyball gold medal with a four-set win over RPC on Saturday, claiming the gold 25-21, 25-14, 19-25, 25-17. Morteza Mehrzadeslakjani was the star for the champions scoring 28 points through 25 spikes, two blocks, and an ace.
The scoring was led by an RPC player, Viktor Milenin managing 30 points through 22 attacks, five aces, and three blocks. It was a tight fight from RPC but losing the third set woke up the Iranians who cruised to the win in the fourth.
Top seeds claim gold on the final day of Taekwondo
Photo: World Taekwondo
People looking for upsets were left disappointed as the best the unfancied athletes could do was the semi-finals in taekwondo at the Nippon Budokan on Saturday. The two finals were both closely fought encounters with the gold medalists only claiming the win by tight margins.
Guljonoy Naimova (UZB) shot out to a four-point lead in the first round and never looked back, wrapping up the win with a body kick with one minute to play to win the women’s K44 +59kg. Asghar Aziziaghdam (IRI) left it late to win the men’s K44 +75kg. It was a back-and-forward match as Ivan Mimulic (CRO) shot out to a 6-1 lead in the first round before Aziziaghdam came back with a 9-1 second. Mimulic claimed three points early in the final round to tie things up only for Azizaghdam to win with a body kick with 19 seconds on the clock.
TOKYO — Pakistan made history at the Paralympic Games on Friday as canoeing added a new category in another busy day as Tokyo 2020 heads to a climax.
Pakistan claims first gold medal
Photo: Carmen Mandato
Haider Ali made history for Pakistan as he claimed his nation’s first Paralympic gold medal. Finishing almost three meters ahead of the field in the men’s discus F37 he threw 55.26m to set a new Paralympic record in the process.
The rain kept pouring in Tokyo but it didn’t stop Anna Grimaldi (NZL) from setting a new Paralympic record in the women’s long jump T47. She was in front from the start and never looked back, breaking the record twice in the final and set the new mark at 5.76m.
Va’ medals awarded for the first time
Photo: ICF
A third straight day of history came in the canoeing events as the newly added Va’ events saw medals awarded for the first time on Friday. It was Emma Wiggs (GBR) who made history winning the first medal in the new category the women’s VL2.
Teenager Peter Pal Kiss (HUN) continued his impressive form capping his amazing year with a gold medal in the men’s KL1. He crossed the line 2.5 seconds clear in a new Paralympic record of 45.447, breaking the record he set in the heats.
There were plenty of tight finishes in the last road races of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games with the wet conditions only adding to the drama.
The hosts got some hardware in the first race of the day as Keiko Segura sprinted away at the death and managed to win the women’s C1-3, putting to bed any doubts that the 50-year-old should have retired. Behind her was a tight race for the other medals with Anna Beck (SWE) and Paige Greco (AUS) claiming the medals just ahead of Xiaomei Wang (CHN).
An early crash in the men’s C4-5 created drama but an incredible recovery from Yehor Dementyev (UKR) made a race of it. He pushed Kevin le Cunff (FRA) but on the final climb, the Frenchman broke clear, cracking Dementyev to claim gold.
Table tennis wraps up in style
It was supposed to be a tight final for the women’s team 9-10 but Poland ended up making light work of the two individual gold medalists in the classifications beating Australia in two matches. The doubles tie was tight going all the way to five games with Poland just edging it 11-9 in the fifth. In a rematch of the Class 10 semi-final, Natalia Partyka got revenge over Qian Yang, winning comfortably 11-5, 11-9, 11-5.
Dutch tennis dominance continues
Photo; Naomi Baker
The Netherlands added three more medals to their wheelchair tennis tally with some more impressive results on Friday. It began with the quad singles bronze medal match as Niels Vink capped his tournament with a comfortable 6-1, 6-4 win over home hope Koji Sugeno.
There was more heartbreak for the Japanese in the women’s singles as Yui Kamiji fell to Diede de Groot after putting up a fight in the second set. After de Groot claimed the first set 6-3, Kamiji pushed de Groot to a tie-break but the Dutch woman came through to win in straight sets and extend the Netherlands successful run in the event to 29 years.
Brazil and Turkey claim goalball gold
Photo courtesy IBSA Goalball
Brazil won its first men’s goalball gold medal as a stunning performance from Josemarcio Sousa sent his side past China 7-2. Sousa scored another hattrick to cap his stunning tournament, finishing with 26 goals.
Turkey defended its women’s goalball title, becoming just the second team to do so, with a comprehensive 9-2 win over the USA. It was a clinical performance especially from Sevda Altunoluk who scored all nine of the Turkish goals.
China finishes swimming on top
Facing a threat from RPC Chinese swimmers doubled down winning four medals to claim the top spot in the swimming medal tally. China won 19 gold medals, 56 total to finish in front of the rest of the field in a stunning two weeks.
Liu Yu was the star of the day claiming gold in the women’s 50m backstroke S4 breaking her own world record from the heats. Li Guizhi also claimed gold for China completing a full set of Tokyo medals she won the women’s 100m freestyle S11, setting a new Paralympic record in the process.
Long term dreams fulfilled
Photo: Alex Davidson
Lisa Gjessing (DEN) a key figure in getting Taekwondo added to the Paralympic Games fulfilled her wishes of winning Paralympic gold. She won the women’s K44 -58kg with a strong final against Beth Munro (GBR)
It was a dramatic finish in the shooting as Zhang Cuiping (CHN) claimed gold in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1. She needed a near-flawless shot with her final bullet and she got there to claim the win.
China’s domination in archery came to an end as Kevin Mather (USA) won the gold in the men’s individual recurve open final claiming the win 6-4.
More finals set in sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball
Photo: World Para Volley
The United States could defend their women’s sitting volleyball title as they managed a strong match to eliminate Brazil in straight sets. Heather Erickson scored 12 points in a comprehensive win with the USA taking advantage of Brazil’s slow start to win 25-19, 25-11, 25-23.
China made their fifth straight final and set up a rematch of the 2016 final after a straight-sets win over Canada. Tang Xuemei scored 13 points to lead the way in three tight sets winning 25-19, 25-20, 25-16.
Japan’s incredible run in the men’s wheelchair basketball to make the final taking a big win over Great Britain 79-68. They will face the USA as they proved too strong for Spain for a 66-52 win in the earlier semi-final.
TOKYO — Following on from Badminton yesterday, Taekwondo made its Paralympic Games debut on Thursday in another busy day of para-sport action at Tokyo 2020.
Morocco starts well in athletics
Photo: Joel Marklund/OIS
Morocco won two of the first six medals on offer on the track, the first coming in world record time as Abdesalam Hili winning the men’s 400m T12 in 47.59. The very next race on the track saw another Moroccan on the podium as Mohamed Amguoun was second, one second behind Skander Djamil Athmani (ALG) who set a new world record in the T13.
To top things off on the track there was an emotional moment in the women’s 200m T11 heats when after the race guide Manuel Vaz de Veiga (CPV) proposed to the woman he was guiding, girlfriend Keula Pereira Semedo who accepted.
Taekwondo makes Paralympic debut
Photo: IOS
Zakia Khudadai (AFG) who wasn’t sure if she’d be at these Games just days ago had the honor of scoring the first point in taekwondo in Paralympic Games history. It was two points with a body kick in the women’s K44 -49kg classification. It wouldn’t end up being much as Ziyodakhon Isakova (UZB) went on to win the bout.
Favourites were stunned in the categories today with Nathan Sodario Torquato (BRA) claiming the men’s K44 -61kg and Leonor Espinoza Carranza (PER) winning the women’s K44 -49kg after two Mongolian favourites didn’t even make the finals.
Table Tennis awards more team gold medals
Photo: Remy Gros
China sealed five gold medals in the team table tennis events in a day of perfection for the team that tops the medal tally. The last gold was the hardest fought, at 1-1 Germany seemed to be breaking the domination, up two games in the final singles tie. Zhai Xiang rallied and came back to win 11-4 in all three of the last games to clinch gold in the men’s class 3.
Things were easier in the men’s class 8 as China managed a 2-0 win over Ukraine, taking out the defending champions. The other ties went in a similar vein but Friday’s action will be tougher for China, missing out on a number of those finals.
It was a dramatic finish in the mixed 25m pistol SH1 as the silver medal was pushed to a shoot-off. After beating Sergey Malyshev (RPC) to assure a medal Szymon Sowinski (POL) then went to the next round and had another shoot-off, this time against Oleksii Denysiuk (UKR), and came through to win silver. The silver medal was Poland’s first Paralympic shooting medal of any colour.
The gold was defended by Huan Xing (CHN) who rode a near-perfect start to the final to take gold for the second straight Games.
Emotional results in cycling
Photo: Alex Whitehead
It was a very emotional day for Germany in the women’s cycling T1-2 road race at Fuji Speedway on Thursday. The gold was claimed by Jana Majnke, leading in teammate Dreock Kaeser, fulfilling Kaeser’s husband’s last words that the pair would win gold and silver.
The emotions continued in the mixed handcycling relay with Italy claiming gold-winning by 31 minutes in a dominant display. After the win, the Italians dedicated the win to teammate Alex Zanardi who remains in a serious condition following a road accident in 2020.
Sarah Storey (GBR) continued to dominate the women’s C4-5 classification, claiming her third straight gold, her teammate Benjamin Watson also claimed gold winning the C1-3, his second gold. Chen Jianxin (CHN) backed up his time-trial gold adding the road race in the men’s T1-2.
It was a perfect day for Japan as both players remaining in the singles draws advanced to the finals of their respective events. The first came in the men’s singles when Shingo Kunieda got revenge over Gordon Reid (GBR) for his loss in the same stage of the doubles event. That result will see him play Tom Egbrink (NED) in the final as the Dutch dominance continued with a stunning win over Alfie Hewett (GBR).
The story was the same in the women’s singles as Yui Kamiji stopped a guaranteed Dutch gold medal as she defeated Aniek van Koot in straight sets. That has set up a top seed duel in the final as she’ll take on the other Dutch legend, Diede de Groot, in the final for the seventh time this year. De Groot will have the edge having beat Kamiji five times.
Morocco nearly stun undefeated Brazilians
Photo courtesy IBSA Blind Foobtall
It was nearly the greatest upset in blind football history. Brazil, undefeated in Paralympic play, found themselves against Paralympic debutants Morocco in the semi-final, assuming an easy walk to another final. But Morocco set up defensively, holding Brazil at bay as their usually fluid play was stopped by strong defense and a very wet pitch.
At halftime, the scores were still level, and murmuring began around the Aomi Urban Sports Park that the unthinkable could happen. But halfway through the second half it finally happened, Jefinho’s shot got deflected by the Moroccan defense past their own keeper to give the Brazilians a lead they would never relinquish. Morocco pushed hard but it wasn’t enough as Brazil remained perfect.
Traditional rivals Argentina will await in the final, a rematch of the 2004 final and Argentina’s best result since those Games. Maximiliano Espinllo was the star scoring the lone goal of the semi-final in the second half to beat China 1-0.
Nemati wins again
It was a simple passage through to the final for Zahra Nemati (IRI) but the final was a different story as she was pushed all the way by Vincenza Petrilli (ITA) to win gold in the women’s recurve open for the third straight time.
Nemati won two of the first three sets, splitting the other, and seemed destined for another big win only for Petrilli to come charging back winning the next two sets to force a shoot-off. Petrilli hit an impressive nine with her arrow but it wasn’t enough as Nemati went one better to become Iran’s most decorated female Paralympian.
Upsets set up thrilling group stage finishes in badminton
Photo: BWF
It was a wild day in badminton’s second day as a Paralympic sport with upsets keeping things exciting as the group stage wraps up tomorrow. Most notably the men’s singles SH6 is wide open as all players finished with one win each.
The first win was a stunning upset as Krysten Coombs (GBR) stunned world No. 1 Jack Shepherd (GBR) in his first match. But he couldn’t capitalize on that win, easily defeated by Chu Man Kai 21-15, 21-10.
There was an upset by the hosts too as Japanese player Akino Sugino shocked Catherine Rosengren to seal her passage to the semi-finals. Zhang Jiang (CHN) had to save two match points before she overcame Cynthia Martinez (SUI) after dropping the first set in the women’s singles WH1. A marathon ensued in the women’s singles SL4 as Chanida Srinavakul (THA) took 40 minutes to beat Olivia Meier 22-20, 20-22, 21-13.
Japan seeking more boccia success
Photo: World Boccia
Thursday was a successful day for Japan on the boccia court as the team events continued finishing the day with a 2-1 record in the BC 1-2 team event. That comes after a gold in the singles to Sugimura Hidetaka boosted the hosts’ hopes.
In the other group, Thailand dominated winning all three matches to show why it is favoured to win the classification.
Defending champions eliminated in goalball semi-final
Photo courtesy IBSA Goalball
Lithuania’s tough tournament continued in the men’s goalball semi-finals as Brazil made light work of the defending champions, claiming a 9-5 win. It was a close first-half, Brazil leading 3-2 but the South Americans controlled things from there to power away to the win.
China will be waiting in the final for Brazil after they were far too strong, winning 8-1 on the back of six goals from Yang Mingyuan. Yang punished the Americans for giving away penalties scoring three of his goals from penalty throws. Those results make the bronze medal match a rematch of Rio’s final.
The USA made their first final since 2008 on the women’s side winning a thriller against Brazil that went to overthrows. After trailing 2-0 at the break Amanda Dennis came back and scored a brace, the second coming 15 seconds from time, to pull the USA to overtime. Mindy Cook became the hero, after not featuring in the match until the throw off she made the crucial save to send the USA through.
Turkey could defend the women’s title after they beat the hosts 8-5 in a stunning semi-final. Japan struggled in the group stage against Turkey by six goals and showed great improvement in the knock-out stages learning from the initial match but still, Turkey provided a professional outlook to win the match.
Iran men advance to defend semi-final gold medal
Photo: World Para Volley
An incredible performance from Meisam Ali Pour and Morteza Mehrzadselakjani led Iran to a sitting volleyball semi-final victory with the pair scoring 28 points. Iran dominated from start to finish powering to a straight-sets 25-16, 25-16, 25-17 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina to book passage to a second straight final.
RPC will be waiting in the final after Aleksandr Savichev starred with 30 points to send his side past Brazil 22-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-19, and into its first gold medal match. RPC dropped the first set but learned from it and improved on serve, decreasing errors to get the win.
Debutants complete strong games
Photo: Lintao Zhang
Two swimmers in their first games claimed their third medals, Gabriel Araujo (BRA) claimed gold in the men’s 50m backstroke S2. He was joined as a debutant triple medalist by William Martin (AUS) who also claimed gold as his third medal winning the men’s 100m butterfly S9 with a world record swim of 57.19. It was a shock for Martin as he beat the world champion Simone Barlaam (ITA).
Another Australian broke a record in the men’s 100m backstroke S14 with Benjamin Hance winning with a Paralympic record of 57.73. Australia’s third gold came in the women’s 50m freestyle S4 as Rachel Watson defended her title in 39.36.
Talisson Glock (BRA) claimed his first gold in the men’s 400m freestyle S6 after winning his third medal following on from two bronze medals. The other first gold medalist was Zsofia Konoly (HUN) winning the women’s 100m butterfly S9 in a Paralympic record time of 1:06.55.
Dutch advance to first semi-final in 25 years
Photo: IWBF
After years and years of eliminations in the semi-final stages, the Dutch women’s wheelchair basketball team finally got through to the Paralympic gold medal match. It was a thrilling match as the Dutch finally got revenge on Germany for their last two eliminations.
It was a tight game with both teams struggling for offense in the early stages keeping it to a one-point game at half-time 26-25 for the Netherlands. In the final seven minutes Netherlands went on a 6-0 run to take the lead, from there they would never look back taking a 54-42 win. Mariska Beijer and Bo Kramer both managed double-doubles in the effort.
China used a strong second quarter to power past the USA to advance to the final. After trailing 9-6 at the end of the first China came back to take a five-point lead into half-time, that would be enough for China to hold on to for the win and set up a match against the Dutch.
TOKYO — The first medals in Boccia were awarded on Wednesday while road cycling moved to the road races and Ikhar Boki was finally beaten on a busy day at Tokyo 2020.
Heartbreak for Polychronidis
Photo: Kiyoshi Ota
After 17 years of waiting Gregorios Polychronidis (GRE) seemed set for his first individual Paralympic Games gold medal but it wasn’t to be as he lost in heartbreaking circumstances. It was a dramatic comeback from Polychronidis scoring in each of the last three ends to force the tie-break but he eventually fell to Adam Peska (CZE) on his Paralympic debut.
There was a shock in the BC2 with the hosts claiming gold through Hidetaka Sugimura stunning the world champion Watcharaphon Vongsa (THA). Samuel Andrejcik (SLO) went one better than 2016 as he claimed gold over Pornchok Larpyen (THA). The only champion to defend was David Smith (GBR) in the BC1.
Dutch riders dominate road race
Photo: OIS
Three Dutch cyclists claimed gold n the cycling road races on Wednesday in a stunning day for Dutch cycling. Jetze Platt dominated the men’s H4 to win his third gold to go with his time-trial and triathlon gold medals. The H5 was won in a sprint finish as Mitch Valize had the speed to finish ahead and Jennette Jansen held the lead from an early attack to win the women’s H1-4.
Oksana Masters (USA) was the notable non-Dutch winner, completing a double in the women’s H5, backing up from her win in the time-trial a day before.
Boki’s streak ends
Photo: Adam Pretty
After 21 straight Paralympic swimming wins Ihar Boki (BLR) saw his reign come to an end on Wednesday as he came fifth in the men’s 100m breaststroke SB13. The warning signs were there after the medley where he was notably slower and those warnings came to the fore in the breaststroke with Taliso Engel (GER) claiming the gold.
After 13 years Karolina Pelendritou (CYP) was back on the top of the podium as she swam a world record to win the 1omen’s 100m breaststroke SB11. Another world record fell in the women’s 400m S10 as Aurelie Rivard (CAN) defended her title, smashing her old record by five seconds.
Daniel Dias (BRA) took his final bow at the Paralympic Games, unable to add to his 27 medals as he finished fourth in the men’s 50m freestyle S5.
After 17 years on top of the men’s 100m T54 Leo Pekka Tati (FIN) came in as the favourite to win gold again but it wasn’t to be as he was stunned by Thai teenager Athiwat Paeng-Nuea in a tight finish. There was more gold for Thailand in the T53 classification as Pongsakorn Paeyo easily won the race adding the 100 to his 400 crown.
Markus Rehm (GER) won his third straight Paralympic gold medal in the men’s long jump T64 with a leap of 8.18m finishing almost 80 centimeters clear of the field.
By comparison it was a terrible day for Malaysia as Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli saw his gold medal stripped in the men’s shot put F20 after breaking the world record. The decision came after a protest from Ukraine saw three athletes disqualified for failing to be on time to the call room, notably that result pushed Ukraine up to first and second. Notably F20 is a class for intellectually disabled athletes.
Long wait over
Photo: World Archery
After waiting 17 years Natascha Hiltrop finally won her Paralympic Games gold medal. She claimed gold in the 10m air rifle prone SH1 to win an emotional medal.
By comparison in the archery, Chen Minyi (CHN) won her second gold of these games as she won the women’s W1 final.
Women’s team sport semi-finals set
Photo courtesy IBSA Goalball
It was a good day for the USA women as their wheelchair basketball and goalball teams both sealed passage through to the semi-finals. In basketball, they will face China and in goalball, they will face Brazil.
The other basketball semi-final will see an all-European tie of Germany against the Netherlands while the other goalball semi-final pits Turkey against Japan.
Badminton makes debut
Photo: BWF
Valeska Knoblauch (GER) made history as she hit the first serve in badminton at the Paralympic Games on her way to beating teammate Elke Rongen 2-0 in the women’s singles WH1. Perhaps the most impressive result came in the women’s singles SU5 as teenager Beatriz Monteiro (POR) won 21-12, 21-19.
The closest match came in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 as the No. 2 seeds Lucasz Mazur and Faustine Noel were pushed to three in a 21-9, 15-21, 21-19 win. Badminton is played in group stages before elimination rounds so all losing players remain in with a chance of medals.
Brazil and China head to women’s volleyball semi-finals
Photo: World Para Volley
Brazil and China remained undefeated in the women’s sitting volleyball as they secured their passage to the semi-finals with victories on Wednesday. Brazil was forced to come back after dropping the first before beating Italy. China made light work of Rwanda, not even allowing 10 points in a single set winning 25-6, 25-9, 25-8.
Needing a win to stay alive the USA got it in emphatic fashion beating RPC in straight sets 25-19, 25-15, 25-22. Canada gave the hosts chances a significant blow with a straight-sets win over Japan 25-19, 25-15, 25-20.
Finals set in teams table tennis
Photo: Remy Gos
Winners were hardly challenged in the team table tennis semi-finals on Wednesday setting up some entertaining matches for the gold medals.
China only saw one game get within five points as it cruised to a 2-0 win over Great Britain in the women’s team class 4-5. They will face Sweden in the final after they beat Serbia in two, although needing four games in each of them.
The women’s class 9-10 saw two 2-0 wins in the semi-finals with Poland getting past Brazil needing four games in the doubles before Natalia Partyka dominated her singles matchup, including winning the first game to zero. Australia, helmed by the gold medalists in the 9 and 10 classes will await in the final, not even dropping a game in their win over China.
Dutch quad duo claims gold
After having stunning results in the quad singles the Dutch duo of Sam Schroeder and Niels Vink claimed gold in the men’s doubles. Taking on the defending champions Dylan Alcott and Heath Davidson (AUS) they didn’t seem overawed, despite a rain delay, claiming a 6-4, 6-3 win. Bronze was claimed by the Japanese pair of Koji Sugeno and Mitsuteru Moroishi.
In the men’s singles quarter-finals Shingo Kunieda (JPN), Alfie Hewett (GBR), and Tom Egberink (NED) claimed straight-sets wins. The other quarter-final was a stunner as Gordon Reid (GBR) needed three to get past Gustavo Fernandez (ARG) 7-5, 3-6, 6-1.
Japanese hearts were broken in the other match of the day as the hosts’ pair will have to play for bronze after falling to the Dutch in the women’s doubles semi-final.
TOKYO — A long day out at the Fuji Speedway saw cycling move outdoors as the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics rolled into its second week on Tuesday.
Australians clean up in time trials
Photo: Paralympics Australia
Cycling moved outside on Tuesday and the first event of the day saw an incredible performance from Australian Darren Hicks in the men’s C2 time trial. Producing more and more power as the race went on Hicks set a time that proved far too much for any others, winning by 92 seconds. Alexandre Leaute (FRA) was the only hope but a late mechanical issue forced him to settle for bronze after dropping his chain.
Samantha Storey (GBR) successfully defended her women’s C5 title finishing even further in front winning her second gold of these Games finishing five minutes clear of the rest of the field, prompting a squeal of celebration as she crossed the finish line.
The women’s C4 was much closer as Shawn Morelli (USA) came through to edge out Australian pair Emily Petricola and Meg Lemon who finished just nine seconds down. The men’s C1 was even closer as Mikhail Astashov (RPC) won by just two seconds.
There was another medal for Australia in the women’s C1-3 time trial as Paige Greco picked up bronze. She finished 40 seconds behind winner Keiko Sugura bringing some joy for the hosts and 20 behind Anna Beck (SWE).
The top three finished well clear in the men’s H5 with Mitch Valize (NED) the clear winner finishing over a minute clear. Jetze Plat (NED) completed a triathlon-cycling double as he won the gold in the men’s H4 by a similar margin.
Less than ten seconds separated the top four in the men’s H3 as Walter Ablinger (AUT) beat out Vico Merklein (GER), Luis Miguel Garcia Marquina (ESP), and Ruslan Kuznetsov (RPC). Oksana Masters (USA) won her first summer Paralympics gold medal to go with her two winter medals, winning the women’s H4-5, making it the third sport she’d medaled in overall.
It was a blowout in the men’s H1 as Nicholas Pieter du Preez (RSA) claimed gold by almost two minutes. The women’s H1-3 was won by Annika Zeyen (GER) finishing almost one minute ahead of the rest of the field.
It was close in the men’s B with Alexandre Lloeras (FRA) beating Vincent ter Schure (NED) by just under seven seconds. Another Australian medal came in the men’s C5 with Allistair Donohoe claiming the bronze, Daniel Abraham Gebru (NED) claimed gold in 42:46.45 32 seconds ahead of Yehor Dementyev (UKR).
Slovakia did a 1-2 in the men’s C4 with Patrik Kuril finishing just under 18 seconds ahead of Jozef Metelka. In the C3 Benjamin Watson (GBR) led the German duo of Steffen Warias and Matthias Schindler.
The women’s B was easily won by Katie-George Dunlevy (IRL) who finished almost a minute ahead of the rest of the field. The men’s T1-2 was easily won by T1 athlete Jianxin Chen (CHN) finishing almost three minutes clear. Australia’s final medal was a silver in the women’s T1-2 with Carol Cooke finishing 32 seconds back on winner Jana Majnke (GER).
Pascoe finally gets her Tokyo gold
Photo: IPC
After winning the two other medals New Zealandswimming legend Sophie Pascoe finally got the gold that had been just out of her grasp. For the 10th time, Pascoe claimed a Paralympic gold, winning the women’s 100m freestyle S9.
Javarnmardi retains her crown
Photo: IPC
After disappointing results at the 2019 world championship, Sareh Javanmardi (IRI) was determined to bounce back. She showed she still is the pistol sharpshooter that her 2016 results say she is as she led the women’s 10m air pistol SH1 dominating the whole field.
In the other target sport, archery, China continued to dominate as He Zihao was well out in front in the men’s individual compound open. It was his second gold medal after winning the mixed team event.
Cuba wins at the national stadium
Photo: Adam Pretty
It was a perfect day for Cuba in athletics as the nation won its first two gold medals of these Games. The first was expected, speed queen Omara Durand powering through the women’s 400m T12 to win the title for the third straight Games.
The other Cuban gold medal was something of a shock as Paralympic debutant Robiel Yankiel claimed gold in the men’s long jump T47. He finished just three centimeters ahead of the defending champion, Roderick Townsend (USA) with a Paralympic record of 7.46m.
Morocco makes football history
Photo: IBSA Blind Football
For the first time, an African team will be competing in the semi-finals of blind football as Morocco stunned Spain to advance. Morocco pressed early and opened the scoring through a penalty converted by Zouhair Snisla. Spain came back and got an equalizer through Antonio Martin Gaitan but it wasn’t enough as the Africans held on for the draw to advance at the expense of Spain.
Brazil will await Morocco in the semi-final as the defending champions remained undefeated in Paralympic history. Brazil beat France 4-0 with a brace from Raimundo Nonato taking him to the lead in the golden boot race.
The all-Asian match for a semi-final place saw the hosts disappointed as China used two first-half goals to advance 2-0. Argentina was the other team to book a place in the semi-finals as they beat Thailand 3-0.
Men’s goalball quarterfinals completed
Photo: IBSA Goalball
The USA was made to work for it but will be back in the goalball medal rounds for the third straight Paralympic Games as they beat Ukraine in an overtime thriller. Ukraine was up 4-1 in the second half and seemingly through but the Americans powered back forcing overtime. Matt Simpson scored early in the overtime period and then saved a penalty, the third missed by Ukraine in the match, to seal a memorable 5-4 win.
China managed to disappoint the hosts in a second blind sport of the day when they eliminated Japan 7-4. A strong first-half and six goals from Mingyuan Yang got China moving in the right direction and it was too much for Japan to overcome.
Despite disappointing in the group stages Lithuania turned it on now that the tournament has reached the business end. Lithuania was much too strong for the previously defensively solid Belgians winning 6-2.
Brazil is the final semi-finalist after they won a high-scoring match against Turkey 9-4. Coming into the match in phenomenal form Brazil powered away early and never looked troubled.
RPC and Iran stay unbeaten in sitting volleyball
Photo: World Para Volley
Two straight-sets victories kept RPC and Iran undefeated in the men’s sitting volleyball tournament as the group stage wrapped up. The pair will be joined by Brazil and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
RPC started the match against Egypt strongly and never looked troubled from there cruising to a 25-21, 25-17, 25-20 win. At times it seemed like the winners weren’t even getting out of first gear as they let off the gas late.
With both teams needing to win to advance Brazil’s 3-1 win over Germany was a real thriller. After a narrow 25-23 win in the first Brazil slipped in the second dropping it 22-25. From there Germany couldn’t keep up and the Brazilians won the last two sets 25-19 and 25-18.
Despite two difficult opening sets Iran managed to get past China in straight sets 25-21, 25-22, 25-14. China just ran out of gas in the third as Iran built a big lead and never looked back.
Knowing they were already through to the semi-final Bosnia and Herzegovina didn’t let that stop them and managed a comfortable win over Japan winning 25-13, 25-15, 25-13.
First teams seal passage in table tennis semi-finals
Photo: Remy Gros/ITTF
India’s stunning run in table tennis came to an end on Tuesday as China eliminated India 2-0 in the women’s class 4-5 quarter-final. Serbia also managed a sweep in the quarter-final to seal a medal beating RPC 2-0.
Great Britain had to fight hard to get through Jordan in its semi-final, after dropping the doubles, the odds were against the British. The two fought back and got the singles wins to send GB through.
One-sided quarter-finals set up medal rounds in women’s wheelchair basketball
There was little excitement in the women’s wheelchair basketball quarter-finals as all four games were one-sided as the final four were set up.
The USA won the all North American battle easily accounting for Canada 63-48. Germany made light work of Spain going through 57-33. The closest match came as China got past Great Britain 47-33 while the Netherlands stamped their credentials with an 82-24 win over Japan.
Men’s doubles tennis final set
Photo: ITF
Great Britain and France will meet up in a hotly anticipated men’s doubles final as the two pairs managed easy straight-sets victories in their semi-finals. Great Britain made light work of Japan 6-2, 6-1 before France closed the day with a 6-2, 6-4 win over the Netherlands.
The other final set on Tuesday was the quad singles final with Sam Schroder (NED) set to face hot favourite Dylan Alcott (AUS). Schroder continued his incredible form this tournament managing a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 win over Koji Sugeno (JPN). Alcott found it harder, recovering from dropping the second set to come through 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
It was a rough day for the hosts but they did have something to cheer as Yui Kamiji advanced to the women’s singles semi-final with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Zhenzhen Zhu (CHN)
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