Japan and Turkey take Paralympic gold in men’s and women’s goalball
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The Japanese team celebrating on the podium after beating Ukraine 4-3 in goalball to win their first Paralympic gold in the sport.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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PARIS – Japan won their first Paralympic gold medal in the men’s goalball via golden goal on Sept 5, while Turkey claimed their third consecutive title in the women’s event.
Yuto Sano scored the decisive goal to give Japan a 4-3 victory against Ukraine after extra time in the South Paris Arena, marking a strong improvement on their fifth-placed finish at their home Games three years ago.
“It almost didn’t feel real until I felt this weight,” the team’s talismanic player Koji Miyajiki told Kyodo News while holding his new gold medal.
“I had confidence that we could win, and in my heart I felt it would be Sano that would seal the deal.”
In front of a capacity crowd, Japan broke the deadlock through Kazuya Kaneko and Miyajiki to take a 2-0 lead inside the opening three minutes.
But Ukraine struck back, first via Anton Strelchyk and then through a Vasyl Oliinyk penalty, to level the score going into the break.
Japan restored their lead in a tense second half, however, when Sano powered a throw through the Ukrainian defence to make it 3-2 to the Japanese.
Ukraine tried to force the issue but the solid black-and-red wall Japan’s trio had constructed in front of their goal held fast until two minutes from time.
Strelchyk’s throw was only half-parried away and the ball squirmed into the goal to make it 3-3, forcing extra time.
Sano then fired in the winning goal to spark wild celebrations as he also leaped into the air to celebrate.
“I didn’t hear the final whistle blow, but from the cheers in the venue I realised I’d done it,” he said, adding: “My body just reacted on its own (regarding his celebration).”
Meanwhile, after tasting gold at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, the Turkish women’s team have now won gold in all three of their appearances at the Paralympics following their 8-3 victory over Israel.
“Three finals, three championships, three gold medals,” said Sevda Altunoluk, who played in all three editions.
“I can’t explain my feelings because I am so happy and the feeling is so deep.”
The reigning world champions made a fast start against Israel in the final, scoring two goals inside the first two minutes, courtesy of Altunoluk and Fatma Gul Guler.
Israel called for a time-out just after Turkey’s third and then struck back through Lihi Ben David to make it 3-1.
However, a team penalty against Israel, which was duly converted by Guler, and another goal seconds later from Altunoluk pushed Turkey further ahead.
The Turks added two more goals before Ben David doubled up to take the sides into half-time with the score at 7-2.
The second period started cagily until Altunoluk scored with a fine cross-court effort that flew into the bottom corner.
Ben David got her third with just under five minutes to go but Turkey were home and dry.
Altunoluk finished as top scorer of the final on four goals and 21 for the whole tournament.
In the bronze-medal matches, China’s women eased past Brazil 6-0 to claim the win, while in the same men’s fixture Brazil, who were champions in Tokyo, beat the Chinese 5-3. AFP
