The opening day of the Paralympic judo competition in Paris witnessed a dominant display by Ukraine, as they secured a gold and two bronze medals. Nataliya Nikolaychuk, a seasoned judoka, captured the women’s -48kg J1 gold, marking a triumphant return after finishing with bronze in both the Tokyo and London Paralympic Games. The Ukrainian success continued with bronze medals for Anzhela Havrysiuk in the women’s -57kg J1 class and Davyd Khorava in the men’s -60kg J2 for blind athletes. This impressive performance surpassed Ukraine’s previous record at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, where they achieved one gold and three silver and bronze medals.
“It means a lot because I had a hard path to this gold medal. I still can’t explain what I am feeling,” expressed an emotional Nikolaychuk, highlighting the immense effort and dedication behind her victory. “This is the best result we’ve had, after so many years of hard work. I did my best in the fight today. I will keep fighting and doing my best for the next few years,” she added, showcasing her determination for future success.
China also displayed its prowess in the sport, securing a gold in the women’s -57kg J1 for Shi Yijie and a bronze for Li Liqing in the women’s -48kg J2, solidifying their position at the top of the overall medal table. Meanwhile, Algeria’s Abdelkader Bouamer, in his Paralympic debut at the age of 41, achieved a remarkable victory, claiming gold in the men’s 60kg J1. “It’s a great joy,” shared Bouamer with AFP, emphasizing the significance of the win. “Age is just a number, I trained a lot, the Paralympics are not like a world championships, they’re extraordinary,” he added, showcasing his resilience and dedication.
The atmosphere at the Champ de Mars Arena mirrored the energy witnessed during the Olympics, creating a truly electrifying environment. While French judoka Sandrine Martinet fell short in the –48kg J2 final, losing to Kazakhstan’s Akmaral Nauatbek, she expressed pride in her performance and acknowledged the remarkable crowd support. “You’re always disappointed to lose a final but I’m proud of this medal. The crowd was extraordinary. Even if it was a defeat, it was a marvellous moment,” she shared, highlighting the captivating experience despite the loss.
