Paris 2024: Top medal moments on Day 11
Para powerlifter Oluwafemiayo breaks world record not once, but twice, to win women's over 86kg gold Great Britain continues Para canoe dominance with four medals on final day at Vaires-sur-Marne Stadium Final medals awarded in Para athletics and wheelchair basketball with marathons and women's medal matches on Day 11 08 Sep 2024
The final medals of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games were awarded on day 11 in four sports: Para powerlifting, Para canoe, Para athletics and wheelchair basketball.
Oluwafemiayo breaks world record twice en route to gold
Nigeria's Folashade Oluwafemiayo won women's over 86kg gold, beating defending champion Deng Xuemei of China. Oluwafemiayo set a new world record with her third lift of 166kg, which she then broke with her power lift of 167kg.
“My first attempt, as you could see, I was not balanced, but I had to get myself together. I did this and the second one, I had the confidence. I said I would go there and do this," Oluwafemiayo said of her first two lifts.
Brazil's Tayana Medeiros surprised world record holder Zheng Feifei of China in the women's up to 86kg final, winning gold with a new Paralympic record.
Not one, but two Iranian powerlifters won gold, both on their Paralympic debut. Aliakbar Gharibshahi topped the podium in the men's up to 107kg, while Ahmad Aminzadeh came first in the men's over 107kg.
“I’m never going to forget this medal," said Gharibshahi. "I missed one competition before Tokyo (2020 Paralympic Games) so I couldn’t go. Now I’m so happy for this medal. It is for my family.”
Great Britain finishes as top Para canoe nation
With two gold medals and two silver medals on day 11 at Vaires-sur-Marne Stadium, Great Britain was confirmed as the most decorated nation in Para canoe at Paris 2024.
Charlotte Henshaw took first, and Emma Wiggs second, in the women's kayak single 200m KL2, while Laura Sugar won women's kayak single 200m KL3 gold and Jack Eyers claimed silver in the men's va'a single 200m VL3.
“We have such a strong team and that’s why we do well. It’s because of our team ethos. We all trying together, we all help each other out, and the vibes in the holding camp and in the venue have been amazing," said Sugar.
“We all back each other. Whether we win medals or not, we’ve had some great performances.”
Two Brazilians made the podium in the men's va'a single 200m VL2. Fernando Rufino de Paulo successfully defended his Paralympic title, while Igor Alex Tofalini won his first-ever Paralympic medal with silver.
“It’s a privilege to be here and be able to train with the Paralympic champion Rufino," said Tofalini. "He’s my friend and colleague and we help each other.”
Morocco and Switzerland collect multiple marathon medals
Morocco won three marathon medals on day 11, including gold in the women's T12, which saw Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi set a new world record of 2:48.36.
“I worked hard to run this time. The race was tough for me. The course was tricky with a lot of changes, and ups and downs. I manage to handle all the twists and turns," said El Idrissi.
“I wasn’t running for a time, only for a medal. I wasn’t aiming to get the world record, just to get the gold, and now I have both.”
Meanwhile, Switzerland was dominant in the T54 marathons, with Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner adding to their medal counts with golds in the men's and women's races.
“This is the one I really wanted, and I made it," said Hug. "I’m very, very happy, very satisfied, but I’m also very exhausted. It was really tough out there, especially with the cobblestones and turns. But I’m very happy now. It was a huge relief to win this gold medal.”
Netherlands defend wheelchair basketball title
The Dutch women's wheelchair basketball team effectively defended their Paralympic title on the final day of competition, winning 63-49 over the USA in the gold medal match despite trailing behind the Americans after the first quarter.
“At this point, I have no words," said Jitske Visser.
"This was our goal. This is what we came here to do. To be able to put this beautiful medal around our necks is amazing. I’m so proud of the team."
In the women's wheelchair basketball bronze medal match, China's won 65-43 over Canada.
“When we lost (the semifinal), we were actually down and the spirit was quite low in the team," said Chen Xuejing.
"But we just tried to go out and let loose this time. We were well-prepared and did a good job."
