As the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games continue, we’re bringing you the cannot-miss sport updates and behind the scenes magic moments. Follow for updates throughout the day.
Second proposal in the city of love
Day 2 brings our second proposal of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, with Brazilian Para badminton player Rogerio Junior Xavier de Oliveira getting down on one knee holding a sign which translates to ‘Edwarda Will You Marry Me?’.
“She is the love of my life and a part of all my dreams,” he said.
“Nobody knew it, just I. I wanted to take this moment to ask her to marry me because she has been one of the most important people for me to be here today.”
He proposed to sitting volleyball player Edwarda Dias De Olivera, also of Brazil, who said:
“What a most incredible moment. It was a beautiful surprise. I wasn’t expecting this. We have been through so much to get here and today, another great dream came true.
“He told me ‘you have to come, I need your energy there’. We weren’t free to go out today but he went to speak to my coach and he let me go.”
The proposal occurred on the court during the men’s singles SL4 group play stage SL4 at Porte de La Chapelle Arena.
Para athletics competition starts in Stade de France
After much anticipation, the athletics got underway at the Stade de France and it wasn’t long before Paralympic history was made. Tunisia’s Raoua Tlili won gold in the women’s shot put F41 with a throw distance of 10.40, successfully defending the title she won in Tokyo. It is also her seventh gold at the Games, and she was grateful for the support.
“I am very happy today because I won the gold medal and all the crowd, the Algerians, the Tunisians, everyone who lives in Paris, came and got reunited to watch me. (I heard them saying) Raoua, Raoua, gold, gold.”
Elsewhere, there was a world record in the men’s 5000 m T11. Julio Cesar Agripino dos Santos stormed to a three second victory over Japan’s Kenya Karasawa, winning in 14:48.
“Today I showed what made the difference and I’m the Paralympic champion and a world record holder,” the Brazilian said. “Today, it’s my day, my title. It means a lot.”
Full Para athletics schedule and results
Avani Lekhara defends shooting crown
India’s first-ever female Paralympic champion, shooting Para sport athlete Avani Lekhara successfully defended her R2 women’s 10m air rifle title at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre.
Competing at her second Paralympics, Lekhara won with a Paralympic record of 249.7 points, 2.9 points ahead of South Korea’s Lee Yunri.
“It feels very nice to win another gold medal for my country and to defend my title, very nice,” the 22-year-old Lekhara said.
Full shooting Para sport schedule and results
Boccia legend Vongsa thumps El Salvador’s Sayes
Four-time Paralympic medallist Watcharaphon Vongsa kicked off his men’s B2 individual medal push with a huge win over Mario Sayes from El Salvador in the boccia. Vongsa will be hoping to regain the gold medal he won at Rio 2016, after taking silver in Tokyo.
Brazil kick off goalball with win
Defending champions Brazil opened their Paris 2024 goalball campaign with a 13-8 win over the USA. Brazil are defending their gold won in Tokyo.
Full boccia schedule and results
Morteza Mehrzadselakjani helps Iran beat Ukraine
In sitting volleyball, Morteza Mehrzadselakjani helped Iran open their gold medal defense with a 3-0 win over Ukraine in the men’s preliminary round. Iran’s men’s side are aiming for a hat-trick of gold medals following victories at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
Full sitting volleyball schedule and results
