Algerian athlete Thelaidjia Fakhreddine established a new African record in the 400 meters, T36 category, on Tuesday at the Stade de Saint Denis in Paris, during the fifth day of the para-athletics events at the 17th edition of the Paralympic Games.
At just 24 years old, Thelaidjia finished the final in 53.91 seconds, securing sixth place overall in a race won by Australian Turner James, who set a new world record with a time of 51.54 seconds. “I did my best to reach the podium, but the race was very fast, which still allowed me to break the African record for this event. I’m pleased with my time, though not with my performance. I learn from each competition and will continue to improve,” commented Thelaidjia.
In another event, fellow Algerian Mohamed Berrahal narrowly missed the podium in the 200 meters (T51), finishing fourth with a time of 40.91 seconds. Canadian Cody Fournie took gold with a time of 37.64 seconds, followed by Finnish athlete Toni Piispanen (38.55 seconds) and Belgian Peter Genyn (38.65 seconds). Berrahal is a decorated athlete with three global medals to his name: one gold in discus with a world record achieved at the 2013 World Championships in Lyon, a bronze in the 100 meters in 2015 in Doha, and a silver in the 200 meters in Kobe, Japan.
In the javelin throw, Nadia Medjmedj (F56) finished seventh with a throw of 17.80 meters on her fifth attempt. Lithuanian athlete Krumina Diana (F55) won the competition with a distance of 24.99 meters, setting a new Paralympic record in her class. The silver medal was claimed by Brazilian Rocha Raissa (F56) with a throw of 23.51 meters (she holds the world record in her class at 24.80 meters, set in March 2022), while Chinese athlete Lin Sitong secured third place with a throw of 22.35 meters.
In the 1500 meters (T13), Baka Abdellatif finished sixth with a time of 3:47.16, falling short of expectations for the bronze medalist from the last World Championships in Kobe, Japan, where he also held the world and Paralympic records in this discipline. The podium featured Aleksandr Kostin (competing under a neutral flag) with a time of 3:44.43, Tunisian Jebabli Rouay (3:44.67), and Anton Kuliatin (also under a neutral flag) with 3:44.94.
Additionally, Hamdi Sofiane (T37) failed to qualify for the 400-meter final after finishing fifth in the first semi-final heat with a time of 53.46 seconds.
The fifth day of the Paralympic Games also showcased three Algerians participating in the shot put (F32) event: Lahouari Bahlaz, who placed fourth with a throw of 9.70 meters—his best performance of the year; Walid Ferhah, who finished fifth with a throw of 9.20 meters; and Ahmed Mehideb, who came in eighth with a distance of 8.56 meters. The fourth Algerian participant, Abdelhak Missouni, did not compete. The event was won by Greek athlete Konstantinidis, who achieved a throw of 11.93 meters.
In the provisional medal standings, Algeria currently boasts four medals (2 gold and 2 bronze), placing them 33rd out of 72 ranked countries among the 186 nations represented.
Schedule for Algerian Athletes on Day 6 (Wednesday, September 4, 2024 – Algerian Time):
– 11:00 AM: Beyour Hadj Ahmed (Para Powerlifting) – Men up to 49 kg
– 4:00 PM: Guerioua Samira (Para Powerlifting) – Women up to 45 kg
– 6:00 PM: Gasmi Mounia (Women’s Shot Put/F32) Final.
