Gold medalist Li Zhangyu (R) and silver medalist Liang Weicong of China celebrate after the men's C1 3,000-meter individual pursuit final at the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games in Paris, France, August 29, 2024. /CFP
Chinese athletes won four gold and one silver medals on the first day of the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games in Paris on Thursday while breaking multiple world records.
Li Zhangyu and his compatriot Liang Weicong had a close contest in the men's C1 3,000-meter individual pursuit final. In the end, Li won the title and Liang finished as the runner-up. Li also set the new world record of the event in the qualifying competition in 3:31.338.
Wang Xiaomei joined Li in making history as she broke the women's C3 3,000-meter individual pursuit world record by finishing the final in 3:41.692, adding another gold for China.
Jiang Yuyan of China celebrates after winning the women's 50-meter freestyle S6 gold medal at the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games in Paris, France, August 29, 2024. /CFP
Chinese swimmers claimed two titles at the 2024 Paris Para Games on Thursday as well. Jiang Yuyan set the new Paralympic record of the women's 50-meter freestyle S6 event in 32.59 seconds, defeating Ellie Marks of Britain and Anna Hontar of Ukraine to win the title.
Chen Yi in the women's 50-meter freestyle S10 final improved the previous world record to 27.1 seconds, securing the fourth gold for China on Thursday.
The Chinese goalball team edged Japan 7-6 in their 2024 Paralympics opener. Six of China's goals came from Yang Mingyuan, who netted five times in the first half. The game was tied 6-6 when there were six minutes away from overtime. Yang stepped out again to score the decisive goal for China with 1:09 to go, giving his side a key victory.