Algerian, Chinese judokas share the honors

By Cui Xiaohuo (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-09-08 07:47

Algeria and China shared the haul of gold medals on the first day of the Paralympic judo competitions, with the North African country winning the men's events and the Games host taking both titles in the women's bouts.

Iran's Saeed Rahmati, a 20-year-old judoka, held his ground in previous bouts, defeating all opponents with an ippon full-point throw but his winning streak ended when Algeria's Mouloud Noura came up with his own ippon to clinch the men's 60kg title.

Ramin Ibrahimov from Azerbaijan and Li Xiaodong from China both took the bronze medals in the category.

Noura's compatriot Sidali Lamri beat Japan's Satoshi Fujimoto to take the gold in the men's 66kg, with Jani Kallunki from Finland and Victor Sanchez from Cuba sharing the bronze medals.

In the women's arena, China's Guo Huaping, 26, and Cui Na, 19, took gold in the women's 48kg and 52kg, after defeating Brazilian Karla Cardoso and Frenchwoman Sandrine Aurieres-Martinet, respectively.

Russia's Victoria Potapova and Germany's Carmen Brussig won the bronze medals in the women's 48kg, while bronzes in the women's 52kg were awarded to Russia's Alesya Stepanyuk and Brazil's Michelle Ferreira.

"I figured she could win the bronze before the Paralympics, but didn't expect her to fight so well. She was extremely calm throughout the bouts," said Chai Yulin, coach of China's Guo, who had to reportedly shed 9kg to qualify for the category.

(China Daily 09/08/2008 page3)