It was a very successful opening day for Algeria in Rio’s Paralympics. A total of four medals were won, which consisted of two silver’s and two bronze’s. Three of the medals were won in the Athletics, shot put, competitions by Lahouari Bahlaz, Nassima Saifi and Nadia Medjmedj. Cherine Abdellaoui won a bronze medal in judo.

Athletics:

Karim Betina, Abderrahim Missouni and Lahouari Bahlaz all competed in the finals of the Men’s Shot Put – F32 finals. And it was in this event were Algeria earned their first medal, Lahouari Bahlaz came second, in between two Greek Athletes, with a score of 9.40, earning him the silver medal.

Nassima Saifi and Nadia Medjmedj both earned medals in the finals of the shot put – F56/57. Saifi finished second, with a distance of 10.77, earning her the silver medal. Medjmedj came third, with a distance of 9.92, earning the bronze medal.

Lynda Hamri qualified to the finals, after getting the 8th quickest time in the Women’s 100m semi-finals. Time: 13.52.

Firas Bentria finished 9th in the Men’s Long Jump – T11 finals, with a final score of 5.59.

Judo:

Cherine Abdellaoui, only 18 years of age, did very well to defeat Canada’s Priscilla Gagne in the quarter-finals of the Women’s 52kg. However went on to lose to Martinet Sandrine of France, in the semi-finals. In the battle for bronze she went up against the Brazilian, Michele Aparecida Ferreira. Despite the majority of the fans supporting their countrywoman, the young Algerian, defeated her opponent and earned the bronze medal.

Despite his determination, Mouloud Noura was unable to defeat his Romanian opponent, Alex Bologa in the quarter-finals and then went on to lose to Korea’s Minjae Lee in the 60kg Repechage.

Goalball: 

The Algerian team suffered a 10-0 defeat to Germany, who turned out to be a very difficult opponent. The Algerian’s will play their next match against Sweden tomorrow evening.

Wheelchair Basketball: 

Despite Algeria’s stand out man, Nabil Guedoun, the wheelchair basketball team suffered a defeat against Team GB, 93-31. Their next opponent will be, the hosts, Brazil on Saturday.