U.S. Men's Goalball Nabs First Victory At Paris Paralympics

PARIS (AP) — The United States’ men’s goalball team recorded its first victory of the 2024 Paralympics with a tight 5-4 victory over France on Saturday. An arena full of fans supported the French team loudly with flags and chants, but the Americans held off a comeback late in the second half.

Three-time U.S. Paralympian Matt Simpson said he appreciated the electrifying atmosphere that the crowd generated.

“Anytime we get the chance to put our sport on the world stage, it’s really fun to put on a show,” Simpson said after the match. “We’re grateful to the French crowd and so glad they brought the energy – even though they wanted us to get scored on every play.”

The United States will play again Sunday against Iran. The result will determine quarterfinal seeding.

U.S. wheelchair rugby moves to 3-1 thanks to Aoki’s scoring outburst

Thanks to 34 tries from Chuck Aoki, Team USA defeated Germany 57-47 in wheelchair rugby. The win pushed Team USA up to second in the Group A table a day after falling to Japan.

After three matches, Aoki has 74 of the United States’ 150 total tries in the tournament. Results of later events Saturday will determine whether the Americans will play in the semifinals or in an additional “placing position” round.

Park upgrades to gold in para shooting

South Korean para shooter Jinho Park won gold in the men’s 10-meter air rifle standing SH1 final. With the score of 249.4, he came only 1.2 points shy of beating his own world record in the event, which he achieved in May 2023. Park previously won silver and bronze medals in Tokyo.

“It was the only medal I did not have so now I have achieved everything,” Park said. “I feel fulfilled.”

He said he thought about his wife during the medal ceremony.

“My wife,