Slovak shooters and table tennis heroes capture Paralympic medals

“We’ve made others happy, and that’s the true purpose of sport,” said table tennis legend Ján Riapoš.

By: sme.sk

Sep 05 2024
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Slovak shooters and table tenn

Slovakia’s Paralympic shooting star Veronika Vadovičová has added another medal to her impressive collection at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Competing in the final of the 50m rifle 3 positions event at the Ch teauroux shooting range on Tuesday, Vadovičová secured the silver medal with a score of 456.1 points.

On Sunday, September 1, she struck gold in the 10m air rifle SH1 event at the Paralympic Games, setting a new Paralympic record with a stunning score of 254.2 in the mixed R3 final. Her countryman, Radoslav Malenovský, captured silver with 253.6 on Sunday, while Spain’s Juan Antonio Saavedra secured the bronze.

This triumph marks Vadovičová’s fifth Paralympic gold, while Malenovský celebrated his first-ever medal at the Games.

Thanks to Vadovičová’s incredible performances, Slovakia earned its fifth medal of the Paris Paralympics on Tuesday, including a remarkable third gold (3-2-0).

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On Saturday, August 31, para-cyclist Jozef Metelka clinched the gold, followed by a thrilling victory in para table tennis doubles, where Peter Lovaš and Ján Riapoš outlasted South Korea’s Hang Yeongjin and Park Sung Joo in four sets to win their first gold together.

Riapoš, an experienced veteran, collected his fifth career Paralympic gold, while his partner Lovaš savoured his first taste of Paralympic success.

Lovaš expressed his joy after their victory: “My emotions are unbelievable. It’s my first Paralympics, and with each match, we just clicked more and more. I knew something special could come from it. It’s amazing that we have the gold.”

Slovak para table tennis players Peter Lovaš (left) and Ján Riapoš pose with their gold medals on August 31, 2024. (Source: TASR)

Riapoš, though elated, approached his victory with a more measured tone, having been there before: “My father always said, winning won’t make bread cheaper. Life moves on in five minutes. Let’s not make this more than what it is. We’ve made others happy, and that’s the true purpose of sport. Happiness shouldn’t be kept to oneself.”