Paris 2024: Big moments on Day 4
Japan made history by reaching the wheelchair rugby final for the first time after a dramatic 52-51 win over Australia in the semi-finals at the Champ-de-Mars Arena. The match was a nail-biter, ending in a 47-47 tie after regular time. Japan clinched victory in overtime by the slimmest of margins.
Japanese player Yukinobu Ike, who scored 16 tries, expressed his team’s ambition: “Our goal is to win the gold medal, but more importantly, we want to play our best rugby. We are grateful to our supporters, both in Paris and at home. We will give our all to secure the gold and share our joy with our fans.”
Japan will face either Great Britain or the USA in the final, depending on the outcome of their match later today.
Shi Yiting Sets Record in Women’s 200m T36
In the Para athletics, China’s Shi Yiting won gold in the women’s 200m T36 final with a Paralympic record time of 27.50 seconds. Shi narrowly missed breaking the world record, which was set by New Zealand’s Danielle Aitchison earlier this year. Aitchison, who won silver, finished just 0.03 seconds behind Shi. Australian Mali Lovell took bronze with a time of 29.82 seconds. Shi’s victory marks her third consecutive gold medal in this event at the Paralympics.
Aitchison reflected on her race: “It was a tough competition, and while I’m disappointed with the final stretch, I’m proud of my performance and happy with the time.”
Colombia Shines in Blind Football Debut
Colombia celebrated their first-ever blind football goal in the Paralympics with a 1-0 victory over Japan. Juan David Perez Quintero scored the goal in the eighth minute of the match. He dedicated his goal to his daughter, who was celebrating her fifth birthday. “It’s a dream come true to start the tournament with a win,” Perez Quintero said.
Historic Boccia Final
South Korea’s Jeong Soyeong and Portugal’s Christina Goncalves are set to compete in the first-ever women’s boccia final at the Paralympics. Jeong reached the final by defeating Great Britain’s Claire Taggert, while Goncalves advanced after beating Poland’s Gischa Ina Zayana.
Great Britain Dominates Rowing
On the final day of rowing, Great Britain won three gold medals: in the men’s single sculls PR1, mixed double sculls PR2, and mixed coxed four PR3. The event took place at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, with International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons presenting the medals.
