There were two golds in two days for Yui Kamiji from Japan in the wheelchair tennis after a few Paralympics where she has been disappointed. On that note, the British pair Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid won the men's doubles after losses in the final in Rio and Tokyo.
Never give up
Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid looked immensely happy as they did a tour of Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros stadium showing off their gold medals from the men's wheelchair tennis doubles.
The British duo, who were top seeds, outclassed the Japanese pair Takuya Miki and Tokito Oda 6-2, 6-1 to win the prize which they can add to two Paralympic silvers as well as 21 doubles titles at all four Grand Slam tournaments in Melbourne, Paris, London and New York.
"It feels amazing," said 32-year-old Reid. "It's something that we've been desperate for and we've come so close twice and felt that heartbreak, felt that pain."
'Tea' time
RFI caught up with several of Gordon Reid's supporters on the way back into central Paris following his victory in the wheelchair doubles. How can they be recognised? Simple. They were wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the legend: "Team Reid."
One imparted that he would be celebrating Reid's success with a cup of Earl Grey tea. The reaction of his companions suggested he was speaking in code.
Weeping rivers
Yui Kamiji from Japan was in floods of tears after winning gold in the women's wheelchair singles.
On Day 8, Kamiji and her partner, Manami Tanaka, beat the Dutch pair Diede de Groot and Aniek Van Kroot to end the Dutch hegemony over the women's doubles. A Dutch duo had won all of the tournaments including the inaugural event in 1992. Kamiji's 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over de Groot in the singles final allowed her to become the first non-Dutch player to parade the singles crown.
As RFI waited in a holding zone – we're that dangerous – members of Kamiji's media team were watching the medal presentation ceremony on a video link and sobbing. Kamiji emerged to talk to Japanese media beaming... then came more tears.
"I'm really emotional because many fans as well as family and friends came out here to watch me during the whole week," the 30-year-old told RFI. And there was a special side too. A Japanese family Kamiji stayed with on her first visit to the French Open in Paris when she was 17 was also in the crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier. "They've known me since I was young," Kamiji proffered through her smiles. "And they always support me, like my mum and my sister, so I saw them at the ceremony and yeah... " More tears.
Paralympic wheelchair tennis archives inspired me to singles gold, says Kamij
Golden times
The industrial medal complex Sarah Storey claimed her 19th gold of her Paralympic career as she beat the French rider Heidi Gaugain in a sprint finish to the C4-5 cycling road race. Storey, 46, competed at the Paralympics in Barcelona in 1992 for the first time and 32 years later she has won 30 medals in swimming and cycling.
So Los Angeles in 2028? "I need to enjoy these victories first," said Storey. "But never say never to anything."
Golden hugs
To show and money, add "couple time". Hunter Woodhall claimed the gold in the T62 400m. The 25-year-old American's success in 46.36 seconds at the Stade de France came a month after his lady love Tara Davis-Woodhall won the women's long jump at the Olympics in the same stadium.
She was there in the stands to give him a big hug just as he was waiting to embrace her after her success. We're welling up.
Turkey's band of sisters win third straight goalball title at Paris Paralympics
