PARALYMPIC AND PARA SPORTS NEWS
![Hidetaka Sugimura of Japan shouts as he competes against Watcharaphon Vongsa in boccia](/sites/default/files/2021-09/GettyImages-1234989244.jpg)
Suigimura Hidetaka hopes boccia gold will spark Japan interest in the sport
Joy too for David Smith, Adam Peska and Samuel Andrejcik while Grigorios Polychronidis targets Paris 2024
![Grigorios Polychronidis with his wife and assistant hold up their hands to celebrate their silver medals](/sites/default/files/2021-09/1804464.jpg)
A silver medal gift for baby of boccia star Grigorios Polychronidis
Another second place finish for Greek star but the presence of little Valentina made it a happy occasion
![A woman posing for a photo with a smile on her face while holding a gold medal in her right hand and a mascot in her left hand](/sites/default/files/2021-08/GettyImages-607344580.jpg)
Multiple medal winner Jessica Long reveals 'extra vertebra' so swims in pain
Olympic legend Michael Phelps sent good luck message to his friend before Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
![A woman celebrates in the pool with the right arm held high](/sites/default/files/2021-09/rsz_gettyimages-1337585115.jpg)
Pelendritou returns to the top 13 years later
Teenage talent Taliso Engel denies Ihar Boki's six-gold plan while Paralympic legend Daniel Dias makes his last appearance in the pool in Tokyo
![Thai wheelchair racer Pongsakorn Paeyo celebrates after crossing the finish line](/sites/default/files/2021-09/Pongsakorn-Paeyo.jpg)
Double delight for Thailand in wheelchair racing
Pongsakorn Paeyo, Athiwat Paeng-Nuea stun strong field for golds
![A woman competing in a shooting rifle competition between a male and a female shooter](/sites/default/files/2021-09/51415765457_152e572fce_c.jpg)
New champions shoot to gold in rifle prone events
Natascha Hiltrop puts Germany on top of the shooting podium for first time in 17 years and Serbia's Dragan Ristic takes first Paralympic victory
![African male taekwondo athlete teaching other students](/sites/default/files/2021-06/Parafait-Hakizimana-taekwondo-anthony-karumba.jpg)
Refugee athletes Parfait Hakizimana and Anas Al Khalifa defy the odds in Tokyo
Hakizimana will compete in Para taekwondo while Al Khalifa will participate in the canoe competition
![Man paddles in a kayak](/sites/default/files/2021-05/Robert-Suba-Hungary-canoe.jpg)
Day 9: Paralympic Games preview
Taekwondo and canoe start competitions in a day with 47 medal events at Tokyo 2020
![Two short stature women running on an athletics track holding the flags of Tunisia and Morocco](/sites/default/files/2021-09/1804244.jpg)
Raoua Tlili makes it double gold again
Tunisian thrower defends her Rio 2016 title smashing the world record in a morning session with Canada, China, Iran, RPC and USA also topping the podium