Japan won its first gold medal in the men’s goalball via golden goal at the Paralympics on Thursday, while Turkey claimed its third consecutive title in the women’s event, Agence France-Presse reported.
Sano Yuto scored the golden goal to give Japan victory against Ukraine by four goals to three after extra time in the South Paris Arena, marking a strong improvement on their fifth-place finish at their home Games three years ago.
In front of a capacity crowd, Japan broke the deadlock through Kazuya Kaneko and Koji 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 came within inches of retaking the lead two minutes into the second period, only for Ukraine’s Oleksandr Toporkov to charge back and grab the ball right on the line.
They soon restored their lead in a tense second half, however, when Sano powered a throw through the Ukrainian defense 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.
Yuto then fired in the winning goal to spark wild celebrations as Japan became Paralympic champions for the first time.
Turkish delight
After tasting gold at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, the Turkish women’s team has now won gold in all three of the appearances at the Paralympics following their 8-3 victory over Israel.
“Three finals, three championships, three gold medals,” said Turkey’s triple Paralympic champion Sevda Altunoluk.
“I can’t explain my feelings because I’m so happy and the feeling is so deep.”
Reigning world champions Turkey made a fast start against Israel in the final, scoring two goals inside the first two minutes, courtesy of Altunoluk and Fatma Gül Güler.
Israel called for a timeout just after Turkey’s third and then immediately struck back through Lihi Ben David to make it 3-1.
However, a team penalty against Israel, which was duly converted by Güler, 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.
Israel’s Ben David got her third with just under five minutes to go, but Turkey was home and dry.
Turkey’s Altunoluk finished top-scorer of the gold medal match on four goals and 21 for the whole tournament.
In the bronze medal matches, China’s women eased past Brazil 6-0 to claim bronze, while in the same fixture on the men’s side of the draw Brazil beat the Chinese 5-3.