Didier and Gabrielzinho storm to early Paralympic swimming golds / Photo: Franck FIFE - AFP
-
Turkish Energy Minister Highlights Qatar as Key Partner for Regional and Global Energy Security
-
Rene Eyre Revisits Autobiographical Performance 'Say A Little Prayer' in London
-
London Museum Granted 24/7 License Ahead of November Opening
-
UAE's HCT Holds Record Graduation and Announces Major Training Expansion
-
Dana White Confirms Flight to Washington for Trump Meeting on Press Secretary Role
-
NASA Awards $10B Lunar Contract Framework to SpaceX, Blue Origin
-
Dengue Fever Expands Into High Himalayas as Climate Change Warms Nepal
-
Katy Perry Tells Fans Ex-Husband Russell Brand 'Should Be in Jail' During UK Concert
-
IoT Refrigerator Hacks Disrupt Blood Labs and Supermarkets Across Europe and US
-
South African election results renew debate over identity-based voting
-
Post-election pressures complicate US and Israeli decisions on Iran
-
South African voters report smoother local election but declining IEC trust
-
UN members approve talks on treaty protocol against environmental crime
-
Dolly Parton museum and Nashville hotel open after singer’s death
-
Family-run West Sussex beach café prepares for first winter season
-
George and Amal Clooney attend New York political-comedy reading
-
CT scans reveal health and burial clues from Egypt’s Braided Lady mummy
-
British buyers pay substantial premiums for period-home appearance
-
Oxford faces complaints over lecturer’s classroom attire
-
Thomas Markle released to house arrest after child-abuse-image charge
-
Kyren Wilson and John Higgins reach International Championship snooker final
-
Dawn of War 4 developers chose Adeptus Mechanicus for tactical variety
-
New Zealand and Tonga meet for place in Rugby League World Cup final
-
Italy face unbeaten South Africa in Turin Nations Championship match
-
Reports of unsafe AI-toy responses renew calls for child-safety rules
-
ChatGPT interactive interface feature tested across six custom tools
-
Juneau food network combines difficult supply routes with deep sharing traditions
-
Freshways milk-price cut deepens pressure on UK dairy farms
-
India climbs green-transition ranking after first emissions decline in 25 years
-
Labour and National remain virtually tied as New Zealand vote count advances
Didier and Gabrielzinho storm to early Paralympic swimming golds
Frenchman Ugo Didier and Brazilian Gabrielzinho won gold medals in impressive fashion as the first titles were claimed in swimming at the Paris Paralympics on Thursday.
Didier, 22, was cheered on to the men's 400m freestyle S9 crown by a boisterous home crowd at the La Defense Arena.
He overtook one of the pre-race favourites, Italy's world champion Simone Barlaam, after the final turn.
Australian Brenden Hall was third, having claimed gold in the race in Rio eight years ago.
With victory for Didier, who was born with club feet and weakness in his knees, the venue witnessed similar euphoric scenes to Leon Marchand's successes during the Olympics.
Gabriel dos Santos Araujo, known as Gabrielzinho, also set the arena alight by claiming gold in the men's 100m backstroke S2.
The 22-year-old, who has no arms or hands and his legs are atrophied, celebrated his third Paralympic gold medal and making up for his silver in the event in Tokyo by blowing a puff of water from his mouth, as the crowd went wild.
Other golds went to Hungary's Zsofia Konkoly, Poland's Kamil Otowski, Singapore's Pin Xiu Yip and Denmark's Alexander Hillhouse.
Barlaam, 24, is part of a much-fancied Italian squad, who struggled in the early part of the session claiming three bronze medals on top of his silver.
Other titles are up for grabs later Thursday, including Barlaam's compatriot Franceso Bocciardo defending his 200m freestyle S5 title and another home hope in Alex Portal in the men's 100m butterfly S13.
A.Williams--AT
