Paris 2024: Ones to Watch in goalball

Athletes you should be looking out for in goalball when the next Paralympics kick off in France 26 Apr 2024

By IPC

With the countdown to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games well and truly in the final stages, our Sport Weeks provide you with the perfect guide to each of the competitions being contested in France. To round off this week, here are the goalball athletes to look out for this summer.

Sevda Altunoluk (Turkiye)

A female goalball player in an eye mask makes a heart gesture with her hands as she sits on the competition field. — @Simon Bruty/OIS

The goalball legend was the top scorer at Tokyo 2020 as she led Turkiye to back-to-back Paralympic titles. The multi-Worlds medallist will be aiming to make it three golds from three Games in Paris.

Audrey Belkhir (France)

A female goalball player is sitting in front of the goal — @IBSA Blind Sports

The host nation’s star player is hoping to inspire more interest in the sport in France with a good performance in Paris, following a sixth-place finish at the 2023 IBSA Goalball European Championships.

Norika Hagiwara (Japan)

Goalball player Norika Hagiwara of Japan prepares to throw a ball during competition — @Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images

A bronze medallist from Tokyo 2020, she has since claimed silver at both the 2023 World Games and 2023 Asia/Pacific Championships behind China, to make Japan among the favourites to secure another podium finish at Paris 2024.

Hasan Jafari (Islamic Republic of Iran)

Hasan Jafari, a goalball player from the Islamic Republic of Iran, prepares to throw the ball. — @IBSA Blind Sports

Iran secured qualification for Paris 2024 thanks to Jafari’s five goals in the 2023 Asia/Pacific Championship final which won them the title. Paris 2024 will be his first Paralympic appearance since London 2012.

Christian King (USA)

A male athlete blocking a ball in front of the goal. — @Santiago 2023

The USA star scored six goals in eight games to help his team claim silver at the 2022 Americas Championships. The USA will hope he can be the key to securing a medal after their fourth-place finish at Tokyo 2020.

Emma-Leigh Reinke (Canada)

A female goalball player is blocking a blue ball. — @Santiago 2023

Reinke powered Canada to 2023 Parapan American gold with a hat-trick in the goalball final. The nation will be targeting an improved finish in Paris after exiting Tokyo 2020 at the group stage.

Josemarcio Sousa (Brazil)

Josemarcio Sousa blocks the ball from going into the net — @OIS/Simon Bruty

The two-time world and reigning Paralympic champion is aiming to help Brazil extend their winning run at Paris 2024. He is targeting a third medal in three Games after starting his Paralympic record with bronze at Rio 2016.

Deyi Yu (China)

A male goalball player rolls the blue goalball in front of his net. — @IBSA Blind Sports

The Worlds silver medallist powered China to the top of the podium at the 2022 Asian Para Games. He will make his Paralympic debut at Paris 2024, where his nation will be attempting to improve on their silver medal at Tokyo 2020.

Rodion Zhyhalin (Ukraine)

Rodion Zhyhalin of Ukraine is wearing an eyeshield and holds a blue ball with his right hand. — @IBSA Blind Sports

Zhyhalin led Ukraine to the 2023 European title and qualification for Paris 2024, helping his team to a 8-3 victory over defending champions Lithuania in the final. The former world champion will be competing at his second Games.

Book your tickets for the Paralympic Games by visiting the Paris 2024 ticketing website.