Karolina Kucharczyk becomes three time Paralympic Champion, Maskill Wins Her Third Gold

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Karolina Kucharczyk, 33, successfully defended her Paralympic title in the F20 Long Jump at Paris 2024, winning her second consecutive gold medal. Leading from the start with 5.52m, she hit a season-best of 5.82m on her fourth attempt. However, despite her victory, Karolina wasn’t entirely satisfied with her performance.

“It’s my third Paralympic medal, but honestly, my worst jump. The event dragged on for two hours, and with about 15-minute breaks between every jump, I started to cool down.”

Karolina credited the lively Paris crowd for their support, contrasting it with her experience in Tokyo.

“The atmosphere was fantastic here compared to Tokyo, where the stands were empty. This time, the crowd was cheering for me, and I started to play into it.”

On a personal note, Karolina shared how her son has been her good luck charm. “Since my son was born, I’ve won everything and never lost.”

As for her upcoming marriage, she mentioned some lighthearted disagreements with her partner over keeping her surname.

“I’m asking my husband to take my name after we get married. I’m famous—I don’t want to change my surname,” she said candidly.

Balancing motherhood with her world-class athletic career, Karolina admits it’s tough. “Motherhood is hard. When you leave home, you’re thinking about winning, but it’s not easy to switch gears.”

In second place, Brazil’s Zileide Cassiano da Silva claimed her first Paralympic medal with a 5.76m jump, adding to her Kobe 2024 gold.

Turkey’s Fatma Damla Altın, who ranked seventh in Tokyo, secured the bronze with 5.73m. “I’m so happy, it’s an indescribable feeling,” said an elated Damla.

World Record for Benjamin and third Gold for Poppy Maskill

The final day of swimming for athletes with intellectual impairments at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Australia’s Benjamin Hance had a day to remember. He shattered the world record in the 100m backstroke during the morning qualifiers with a time of 56.52 seconds and later clinched the gold medal in the evening with 57.04 seconds.

Reflecting on his rollercoaster year, Ben shared,

“Worst year of my life, worst season of my life. I mean, I’m glad this season is over. I’m glad I’ve got the medal now and even a world record. My father died this season, and this was the worst thing. Thanking my father for everything he’s done. He always loved my backstroke, and I’m glad I’ve given him a gold medal tonight, for sure.”

This victory adds to Ben’s earlier success in Paris, where he secured a silver in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay.

Brazil’s Gabriel Bandeira put on an impressive performance, claiming the silver medal with a time of 58.54 seconds, setting a new American record. It marked his third medal in Paris, adding to his bronze in the 100m S14 butterfly and the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay. Reflecting on his journey, Bandeira said, “I stayed out of that final in Tokyo and almost stayed out here too, but I always think there’s a chance. Today I came lighter for the final—it was the last day, and I really let it hurt.”

Mark Tompsett of Great Britain took the bronze with a time of 59.21 seconds.

In the women’s 100m backstroke, Britain’s 19-year-old Poppy Maskill secured gold with a time of 1:05.74. This win brought her total medal count in Paris to five—three golds in the 100m backstroke, 100m butterfly, and 4x100m mixed freestyle relay, and silvers in the 200m freestyle and 200m medley.

Reflecting on her performance, Maskill said, “I was a little bit annoyed because it’s not a PB (personal best), but I’m still really, really happy because I won, and that’s the best you can do. I’m happy with the medal, obviously, that’s really cool and a great achievement. I am slightly disappointed in the time because I know I can do better.”

On being Great Britain’s most successful swimmer at the Games, Maskill shared her surprise: “It’s really cool. I wouldn’t have expected it to be me. I would’ve thought it would be Maisie Summers-Newton or Alice Tai.”

Maskill also talked about how swimming helps her find peace: “No matter what mood I am in, if I’m feeling sad or happy, I get in the water, and I feel calm and nice. It makes me feel better. Training is one of my favourite things.”

Russia’s neutral athlete Valeria Shabalina claimed silver in the women’s event with 1:06.68, adding to her four-medal haul in Paris, which includes two golds and a bronze. Olivia Newman-Baronius of Great Britain rounded off the podium with bronze, clocking 1:08.74.