China cements W1 mixed team domination with gold and Paralympic record in Paris
Chen Minyi and Zhang Tianxin defended their W1 mixed team title by defeating Sarka Pultar Musilova and David Drahoninsky in the gold medal match at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Both teams emerged as strong contenders for gold, after Chen won the women’s individual title and Zhang and Pultar Musilova also medalled individually.
The two pairs already met three years ago in Tokyo 2020, and the Chinese won there, too.
In Paris, Minyi bagged her second gold.
“We did really well,” she said. “We could handle the pressure and stayed focused on ourselves. I’m very happy we won the title.”
“It’s a huge milestone in my life,” Tianxin claimed. “It will encourage me to work hard.”
The Chinese team set a new Paralympic record with their score of 147 in the final.
“I even didn’t imagine we broke the record,” Chen admitted. “It’s a wonderful moment for us.”
Silver in the W1 mixed team was redemption for Drahoninsky, who suffered a painful defeat to the eventual Paralympic Champion Jason Tabansky in the individual competition.
“I did yesterday one fault, but today was a new day,” the now seven-time Paralympic medallist said. “Sun shined over Paris in the morning. It started a new day for me. I’m very happy that we won this medal with Sarka.”
“I’m at the Paralympics for the fifth time and reached my seventh medal. I’m so happy.”
Bronze went to Italy’s Daila Dameno and Paolo Tonon, who beat Park Hong Jo and Ok Geum Kim of Korea.
Competition in Paris continues with compound mixed team’s elimination and medal matches in the afternoon.
Podium: Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
Full results on the event page.
W1 mixed team
- Chen Minyi and Zhang Tianxin, China
- Sarka Pultar Musilova and David Drahoninsky, Czechia
- Daila Dameno and Paolo Tonon, Italy
