Triumphs and Tight Races: Highlights from the 2024 Paralympics

The U.S. men's goalball team secured a win over France, supported by an energetic crowd. Matt Simpson expressed gratitude for the atmosphere. Chuck Aoki led U.S. wheelchair rugby to victory. South Korea's Jinho Park won gold in para shooting. Swiss racer Catherine Debrunner outpaced U.S. record holder Susannah Scaroni in the T54 5,000m.

The United States' men's goalball team clinched their first win at the 2024 Paralympics with a narrow 5-4 victory over France on Saturday. A raucous crowd, waving flags and chanting, backed the French team, but the Americans withstood a late comeback.

Three-time U.S. Paralympian Matt Simpson praised the electric atmosphere generated by the crowd: "Anytime we get the chance to showcase our sport on the world stage, it's really fun to put on a show," Simpson remarked post-match. "We appreciate the French fans' energy, even though they rooted against us." Team USA will face Iran on Sunday to determine quarterfinal seeding.

In wheelchair rugby, U.S. star Chuck Aoki scored 34 tries to propel Team USA to a 57-47 win over Germany, elevating the team to second in Group A. Aoki has scored 74 of the United States' 150 tries in the tournament so far.

South Korean para shooter Jinho Park seized gold in the men's 10-meter air rifle standing SH1 final with a score of 249.4, just shy of his own world record. Reflecting on his victory, Park stated, "It was the only medal I did not have so now I have achieved everything."

Swiss wheelchair racer Catherine Debrunner overcame U.S. world record holder Susannah Scaroni in the women's T54 5,000-meter final, clocking a personal best of 10:43.62. Debrunner, competing in six events, expressed her satisfaction: "Once I knew we were alone, I was really happy because I knew I was second or first."

(With inputs from agencies.)