GOLD! Wheelchair sprinter Maxime Carabin masterfully lives up to his role as favorite in the 400 meters – “Magnificent”

What a dream debut for Maxime Carabin. The Belgian wheelchair sprinter immediately secured a second Belgian medal at the Paralympic Games in Paris. He blasted to gold in the final of the 400 meters. He was put forward as the top favorite in advance, but that clearly did not bother our compatriot. He was lord and master in his rain-soaked medal race.

Maxime Carabin has fully lived up to his role as favourite.

Our compatriot went for “nothing less than gold” in Paris and on his first day as a Paralympic debutant he immediately fulfilled that wish.

In the 400 meters in the T52 class, the Belgian quickly catapulted himself to the lead. And he would never relinquish that first place after a strong race. He kept his biggest competitor Sato Tomoki behind him by more than a second.

“My first Games, my first final and immediately a first medal. This is really magnificent,” our compatriot exclaimed with a big smile.

I have never felt anything like this. The atmosphere was really great.

Maxime Carabin

Carabin eventually won with a time of 55″10 in rainy and slippery conditions.

“The conditions were indeed not easy. It was not always easy to keep everything under control because of the slippery track, but we had already experienced it this morning and I was already well adapted to the weather,” said Carabin.

That is an understatement. This morning he already astonished in the series. In such circumstances he immediately gave his calling card and signed for a Paralympic record: 54″48.

And that in front of a lot of excited and traveling fans. “Honestly, the atmosphere was really great,” he beamed. “All those supporters give you a boost. I’ve never felt anything like that. As an athlete, you can go even faster.”

After Ewoud Vromant’s silver in the individual pursuit, this is already the second Belgian medal at the Paralympic Games.

And Carabin could add a little extra to his and the Belgian counter. Our fellow countryman will also be in action on the 100 meters and is again among the favorites.

Even after the medal ceremony, Carabin continued to enjoy the afterglow. “I am very proud. This is proof of 4 years of hard work.”

He received his gold medal from the Belgian princess Astrid. “That makes it even more beautiful. Who better could they have asked for a Belgian medal?”

And now the focus is on the 100 meters, or maybe not right away. “I’m going to eat, party with my family and then sleep to recover. Next week I’m going to give it my all.”