Danielle Souza (BRA) in action on the way to winning the SH-1 title (BWF)
SANTIAGO, Chile — Much like the rest of the Para Pan American Games Brazil proved to be the most successful team in badminton in Santiago. Brazilian players won nine gold medals in a dominant performance.
Two gold medals came from the pair of Marcelo Conceicao and Rogerio Olivera both winning their singles and doubles titles. Conceicao won the WH1 men’s singles and WH1-2 men’s doubles and Olivera won the SL4 men’s singles and SL3-SU5 mixed doubles. The WH1-2 men’s doubles was guaranteed to be a Brazilian gold as Conceicao and partner Julio Cesar Godoy defeated fellow Brazilians Edmar Francisco Barbosa and Radolfo Renato Cano.
Yuki Rodrigues was the only other male winner, claiming the men’s SU5 men’s singles. Brazil swept the WH1 singles crowns with Daniele Souza claiming the women’s, the same holding true in the SL4 with Ana Carolina Reis completing the sweep. The other gold medals came from women’s singles through Abinaecia Silva (SL3) and Mikaela Almeida (SU5).
Two non-Brazilians claimed double gold with Peru’s world champion Pilar Jauregui claiming the WH2 women’s singles and WH1-2 women’s doubles with Jaquelin Burgos Javier. The other double champion was from the USA with Miles Krajewski claiming the SH6 men’s singles and the SH6 mixed doubles with Jayci Simon.
Chile also managed one gold through Jaime Aranguiz who defeated Godoy in the WH2 men’s singles final, denying Brazil another gold medal.
While there was no automatic qualification spot on the line for winning the Para Pan American Games, there were vital “Race to Paris” rankings points that will give the winners a significant boost.
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 — 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.
14, six men’s singles, one men’s doubles, five women’s singles, one women’s doubles, and one mixed doubles
Differences to the Olympic Games
Wheelchair athletes compete seated. Some classifications will use less of the court.
Classification
Classes are split into four overarching categories.
WH – Wheelchair-bound athletes. WH1 athletes have impairment in both lower limbs and their trunk, these athletes commonly have spinal cord injuries. WH2 athletes have no trunk impairment but impairment in one or both legs.
SL – Athletes compete standing and have a lower limb impairment. SL3 athletes have impairment in one or both lower limbs and poor balance, typically cerebral palsy or double leg amputations. To compensate SL3 plays a half-court. SL4 athletes have better balance but still have a lower limb impairment in one or both limbs, this category plays on a full court.
SU5 – These athletes have upper limb impairments that impact gripping the racket. Either a missing thumb or arm amputation or nerve damage.
SS6 – Athletes with achondroplasia or short stature
Schedule
From September 1st to 5th. Medals will be awarded on the final two days.
Venue
Yoyogi National Stadium – The venue that hosted Handball at the 2020 Olympic Games and Swimming, Diving, and Basketball in 1964. It is another venue that hosted events at the 1964 Paralympic Games, hosting snooker and the closing ceremony.
2016 Results
Badminton is making its debut in the Paralympics in Tokyo.
Favorites for Tokyo
Asian countries dominate Badminton, especially China, South Korea, and Indonesia.
Men’s Singles WH1 – Expect this to come down to a final between Zimo Qu (CHN) and Dong Seop Lee (KOR) the two have a big lead between the rest of the field in the world rankings, more than 1000 points clear of the following pack.
Women’s Singles WH1 – Three athletes loom here. Japanese player Sarina Satomi has the world number one ranking and home-court advantage. Below her is a dual-threat of Valeska Knolauch (GER) and Sujirat Pokkham (THA). Satomi hasn’t had a major competition since 2019 so the two challengers will be looking to threaten.
Men’s Singles WH2 – This classification is Jungjun Kim’s (KOR) to lose, he’s won the last four tournaments he has played in and has a 1000 point lead on Ho Yuen Han (HKG) in the world rankings.
Women’s Singles WH2 – Yutong Liu (CHN) is even more dominant, with no losses in over two years she’ll be almost impossible to beat. Her only challenges will be compatriots Tingting Xu and Hongyan Li, a Chinese sweep in this classification is definitely possible.
Men’s Singles SL3 – Indian Pramod Bhagat goes in as a big favorite here, 1000 points clear in the World Rankings. Competition could come from Team GB’s Daniel Bethell or Indian teammate Manoj Sarkar.
Men’s Singles SL4 – Lucas Mazur (FRA) has been unbeatable in this classification and it would be a stunning upset for him to not win gold.
Women’s Singles SL4 – A tight two-person fight for gold looms here between World Number One Leani Ratri Oktila (INA) and Hefang Cheng (CHN) who have consistently been fighting for the top spot in the classification. Most recently Cheng won the battle in the Brazil International in 2020.
Men’s Singles SU5 – The Indonesian v Malaysia rivalry is strong here with Dheva Anrimusthi (INA) and Liek Hou Cheah (MAS) fighting for the top spot and likely to contest the final. In truth, Anrimusthi is the player to beat but hasn’t played in as many tournaments as others so isn’t running away with the classification.
Women’s Singles SU5 – Another two-player race looms here between Qiuxia Yang (CHN) and Ayako Suzuki (JPN) who have traded blows at the top of the World Rankings. Suzuki has been closing the gap and with home-court advantage could well get the job done in Tokyo.
Men’s Singles SS6 – This might be the tightest classification with four men: Nagar Krishna (IND), Jack Shephard (GBR), Man Kai Chu (HKG), and Krysten Coombs (GBR) all in with a real chance in Tokyo. Coombs may be the lowest-ranked but has a win in the only tournament of 2021, the Spanish International.
Men’s Doubles WH1-2 – China, South Korea, and Japan loom as contenders here. Zimo Qu (CHN) should have a strong chance of doing double medals here as will Jungjun Kim (KOR).
Women’s Doubles WH1-2 – Japan has two teams that could medal in the Women’s Wheelchair Doubles classification. Sarina Satomi and Yuma Yamazaki lead the world rankings but the second team in Ikumi Fuke and Rie Ogura could threaten. Also, watch out for Yutong Liu and Menglu Yin (CHN) with Liu so dominant in the WH2 singles she’s bound to challenge in the doubles as well.
Women’s Doubles SL3-SU5 – China and Indonesia are strong favorites here, China will be motivated by a potential sweep of the Women’s Doubles but the Indonesian pairing has had the measure of their Chinese rivals and has been closing the gap in the World Rankings lately.
Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5 – The Indonesian pairing of Hary Susanto and Leani Ratri Oktila looms as a significant favorite for this event, Oktila will be looking for a sweep of all the medals available to her.
Daniel Bethell (ENG) celebrates his win (Photo: BWF)
TOKYO – Englishman Daniel Bethell upset the apple cart at the Tokyo Para-Badminton open as he stunned the Indian World Champion Pramod Bhagat in straight games to win the men’s standing (SL3) singles title 21-16, 21-19 on Sunday.
Chan Ho Yuen celebrates his dramatic victory (Photo: Luis Veniegra/IPC)
GEELONG, Vic., Australia – The Australian Para Badminton International saw one of the biggest upsets in para badminton history as Hong Kong’s Chan Ho Yuen handed Korean Kim Jungjun the first defeat of his career.
TOKYO – Just five top seeds managed wins in the Japan Para Badminton International which was completed on Saturday. Even more extraordinarily, four of the events were won by non-seeded players and teams in what was a thrilling tournament with less than two years to go before the sport makes its debut at the Paralympic Games in the same city this tournament was held.
Japanese players made up four of the five No. 1 seeds to claim victory in their event with the other top seed being Frenchman Lucas Mazur who claimed the Men’s Singles SL4 over the No. 2 seeded Indian Sukant Kadam 21-10, 21-17.
Four Japanese top seeds won at their home tournament with Toshiaki Suenaga and Akiko Sugino winning the Mixed Doubles SL 3-SU 5. Taiyo Imai won the Men’s Singles SU 5 title, taking down the No. 2 seed Polish player Bartloiej Mroz. Ayako Suzuki avoided an upset in the Women’s Singles SL4-SU5. The final Japanese No. 1 seed that got the win was Yuma Yamakazi who won the Women’s Singles WH 2 in an all Japan final beating Yuma Yamakazi.
Four events were won by non-seeded players or pairings, springing some surprises in entertaining tournaments through the week. English pair Krysten Coombs and Jack Shephard claimed the Men’s Doubles SS 6 in an all-non seeded final. The pair would then back up and face each other in the singles final which was claimed by Shephard, who held the No. 1 seed.
Thai pairing Pricha Somsiri and Chok-Uthaikul Watcharaphon claimed the Men’s Doubles SU 5 after being non-seeded. Korean Sun Chul Kim stunned the No. 1 seeded Englishman Martin Rooke in the Men’s Singles WH 2 final. The other non-seeded winners were pleasing for the hosts as Japanese pair Ayako Suzuki and Asami Yamada claimed the Women’s Doubles SL3-SU5 crown while Sarina Satomi claimed the win in the Women’s Singles WH 1 shocking the Swiss No. 1 seed Karin Suter-Erath.
Two of those three winners would end up with double gold in Tokyo with Satomi pairing with compatriot Yuma Yamazaki to claim the Women’s Doubles WH1-2. That was followed by Suzuki backing up from her doubles triumph to claim the singles title in the SL4-SU5 classification.
There was a slight upset in the Men’s Singles SL3 as Englishman Daniel Bethell defeated the No. 1 seed Japan’s Daisuke Fujihara to close the gap on his chase for the top ranking. An all Korean final saw a stunning upset as No. 5 Jae Gun Jeong beat his team mate and No. 1 seed Sam Seop Lee.
Home fans wanted to see some a big upset in the Women’s Singles SL 3 final with unseeded Japanese player Noriko Ito taking on Indian Manasi Girishchandra Joshi. After losing the first set 21-16, Ito came back to force a third winning 18-21 in the second but that was as good as it got as Joshi claimed the final set 21-3.
Three teams of mixed nationalities won the three remaining events with Korean/Japanese pair Sam Seop Lee and Yuma Yamazaki claiming the Mixed Doubles WH1-2. In the Men’s Doubles SL3-4 home fans were happy as their man Daisuke Fujihara partnered with Thai player Siripong Teamarrom. Another men’s doubles classification was claimed by two different nations with Korean Sung Hun Kim partnering with Frenchman David Toupe to claim the WH1-2 title.
Para Sports 