The first titles of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games have been decided on the evening of Friday, August 30th, in a night filled with emotion, staying true to the Paralympics’ finest traditions.
For the first time since 1976, doubles medals were awarded at the Paralympic Games, adding to the historic atmosphere of the night.
Kicking off the medal events, the Class 14 Women’s Doubles saw China’s Huang Wenjuan and Jin Yucheng narrowly defeat Germany’s Stephanie Grebe and Juliane Wolf to clinch the first gold medal of the evening (11-4, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8). After dropping the second game, the Chinese team quickly regained their composure, rallying to secure the next two games and ultimately take the victory.
“It feels so good. I never imagined I could get a gold medal. This was a very good start for the whole Chinese team. We practise very hard. We are good friends, too, and we will be even better friends after winning this gold medal together.” Huang
This victory is an incredible achievement for both players, but especially for Jin, who is making her Paralympic debut at just 16 years old. Having only begun competing internationally in 2023, her rapid rise in the world of Para table tennis is nothing short of inspiring.
Norway’s Aida Music Dahlen and Merethe Tveiten and Great Britain’s Felicity Packard and Bly Twomey win bronze medals in the Class 14 Women’s Doubles.
Building on their teammates’ success, China’s Liu Jing and Xue Juan claimed the second gold medal of the night in the Class 5 Women’s Doubles, adding another to China’s growing tally. The formidable duo overpowered Korea Republic’s Seo Su Yen and Yoon Jiyu with a 3-1 victory (11-7, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9).
‘We have never played against the opponents in the final, which was a very big challenge. We have adapted in our doubles, and we will continue to work hard in the following singles. I am very happy to win tonight for my daughter. She is still young and I hope I can have more wonderful stories to tell her when she grows up.” Xue
This latest triumph further cements Liu and Xue’s spectacular Paralympic legacy. Both players have won every single event they’ve entered in their Paralympic careers, with Liu holding an impressive eight gold medals from four Paralympic Games and Xue securing four gold medals from two Paralympic Games.
Brazil’s Caria Oliveira and Joyce Oliveria and Thailand’s Dararat Asayut and Chilchitparyak Bootwansirina win Bronze medals in the Class 5 Women’s Doubles.
