Paris 2024 Paralympic Games | Para athletics - World record in Javelin throw, first French medal: highlights from the morning's competition

Recap of the best moments and standout performances from the morning of Saturday, August 31, in Para athletics at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Just like the day before, it was important not to be late for the second morning of Para athletics at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games! At the Stade de France, the first final of the day crowned China's Yuping Zhao, who not only won the gold medal but also set a new world record in the F12 javelin throw, surpassing her own 2019 record by over a meter with a throw of 47.06 meters. Anna Kulinich-Sorokina (NPA) and Natalija Eder (AUT) took silver (38.10 m) and bronze (37.22 m), respectively.

Bronze medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Games, Uzbekistan's Elbek Sultonov secured a third Paralympic title for his country—the third in Para athletics—at these Games with his victory in the men's F12 shot put. With a throw of 16.45 meters, he outperformed the two Ukrainians, Volodymyr Ponomarenko (16.12 m) and Roman Danyliuk (16.11 m).

In the women's F57 discus throw, Algeria's Nassima Saifi, Paralympic silver medalist in Tokyo, this time claimed gold (35.55 m), setting a new Paralympic record. China's Mian Xu took silver (32.81 m), while Uzbekistan's Mokhigul Khamdanova (32.75 m) had to settle for bronze.

The Paralympic Record for Catherine Debrunner in the 5000m

In the long-distance races, Yassine Ouhdadi El Ataby retained his title in Paris in the 5000m T13. The Spaniard won the race in 15:50.64, ahead of two NPA athletes on the podium, both T12, Aleksandr Kostin (15:52.36) and Anton Kuliatin (15:55.23).

In the same distance, but in the women's T53-54 category, Switzerland's Catherine Debrunner (T53) set a new Paralympic record with a time of 10:43.62, finishing ahead of American Susannah Scaroni (T54, 10:45.18) and Australian Madison de Rozario (T53, 11:10.20).

Already crowned in Tokyo 2020, the jumper broke her own Paralympic record this morning, landing at 6.53 meters. Marlene van Gansewinkel secured a Dutch one-two finish with 5.87 meters, while Beatriz Hatz completed the podium with 5.38 meters.

The First French Medal in Para Athletics for Antoine Praud

This Saturday, Antoine Praud won the first medal for French Para athletics at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games at the Stade de France. Competing in the T46 1500m, the French athlete was driven by the crowd to achieve the greatest accomplishment of his young career.

By breaking his personal record by 4 seconds (3:51.37), the 20-year-old Para athlete secured the bronze medal, finishing behind Aleksandr Iaremchuk (NPA, 3:50.24) and Michael Roeger (AUS, 3:51.19).

In His Debut in the T11 400m, Timothée Adolphe (and His Guide Jeffrey Lami) Easily Qualified for the Final

Timothée Adolphe, along with his guide Jeffrey Lami, easily qualified for the final—which will take place this evening—by winning his heat in 51.39 seconds. The flag bearer for the Paralympic Refugee Team, Guillaume Junior Atangana (and his guide Donard Ndim Nyamjua), will also be competing in the final with a time of 51.95 seconds.

Unfortunately, Gauthier Makonda (and his guide Lucas Mathonat) did not advance, finishing second in his race with a time of 53.20 seconds. Sofia Pace, who finished eighth in her heat in the women’s T38 100m, also saw her competition come to an early end.

This Saturday evening, events will begin at 7:00 PM, with strong medal chances for France, including Timothée Adolphe in the T11 400m.

All Para athletics results from the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

All Para athletics results and schedules are available and updated in real-time HERE.