Japan Defeats U.S. to Claim Wheelchair Rugby Gold at Paris Paralympics; Japan’s Paralympic Medal Rush Continues

The Yomiuri Shimbun

15:42 JST, September 3, 2024

PARIS — The Japanese wheelchair rugby team won gold at the Paris Paralympics on Monday, defeating the United States 48-41. The victory earned Japan its first-ever gold and third consecutive medal in the event, following bronze medal performances in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021.

In the men’s wheelchair badminton WH2-class singles final, Daiki Kajiwara, 22, won in straight sets against his opponent from Hong Kong to earn his second consecutive Paralympic gold medal, following his victory in the previous Games in Tokyo.

Keiko Onidani, 29, claimed silver in the women’s discus throw F53 class with a new Asian record of 15.78 meters.

In the men’s 100-meter breaststroke S14 class for swimmers with an intellectual impairment, previous champion Naohide Yamaguchi, 23, won the bronze.