Paris Paralympics 2024 Games highlights of 7 September: France wins blind football, Team USA win wheelchair basketball

On Saturday, September 7th, Day 10 of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, several team event gold medal matches took place, including those in sitting volleyball, men’s wheelchair basketball, and blind football. It also marked the final day of competition for Para cycling road, Para equestrian, Para judo, Para swimming, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair tennis, and Para table tennis.

In men’s wheelchair basketball, Team USA claimed gold with a 73-69 victory over Great Britain. The women’s final, featuring defending champions The Netherlands against Team USA, is scheduled for Sunday.

In Para swimming, Jessica Long continued her dominance by successfully defending her S8 100m butterfly title, bringing her total to 31 medals across six Paralympic Games.

The final day of Para athletics at Stade de France was highlighted by 19-year-old Tunisian athlete Amen Allah Tissaoui winning his first Paralympic gold in the men’s 1500m – T38. Meanwhile, Colombia’s Karen Tatiana Palomeque Moreno set a new world record in the women’s 400m – T38, finishing in 58.67 seconds.

Medals were awarded for the first time in Para canoe, with Australia’s Curtis McGrath and Great Britain’s Charlotte Henshaw taking gold in the Kayak Single 200m – KL2 and Va’a Single 200m – VL3, respectively.

Para cycling road concluded with five gold medals awarded, including France’s victory in the mixed H1-5 team relay.

Moment of the Day: France captured its first-ever blind football gold medal in a dramatic shootout against Argentina. Frederic Villeroux scored the decisive goal, securing a historic win for France in front of a full-capacity crowd at the Eiffel Tower Stadium. The victory marked redemption for France, who lost the final to Brazil at London 2012. Brazil took bronze with a 1-0 win over Colombia, thanks to a goal from Jefinho, known as the “Paralympic Pelé.”

Medal of the Day: Cuba’s Omara Durand completed a golden hat trick by winning the women’s 200m T12 with a season-best time of 23.62 seconds. Durand, who also won gold in the 100m and 400m T12, announced her retirement after the race, citing her health and desire to pursue other interests. She leaves as the top sprinter in her category.

Quote of the Day: Great Britain’s David Phillipson, who competed in his fourth Paralympic Games, finally won his first medal—a silver in the men’s kayak single 200m KL2. Overjoyed, Phillipson said, “I cannot articulate what this medal means to me. I am going to wear it everywhere. I am not taking it off.”

Results of the Day: Japan’s Oda Tokito, making his Paralympic debut, won the wheelchair tennis men’s singles gold by defeating Great Britain’s world number one, Alfie Hewett. This victory keeps the gold in Japan following the retirement of Tokito’s hero, Shingo Kunieda. In women’s sitting volleyball, Team USA secured a three-peat victory over China, with player Kaleo Okalani Kanahele emphasizing the hard work behind their success. Looking ahead to LA 2028, Kanahele expressed confidence in her team’s future.