Paris 2024: Para athletics and wheelchair tennis join the party on Day 2

 

South Africa's Donald Ramphadi is determined to build on his success in Paris as the wheelchair tennis programme kicks off at the iconic Roland-Garros during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.,There is a possibility of a wet start with showers expected on Day 2 of the Games, but despite this, the competition assures fans of exciting matches and the emergence of new stars.,The journey commences with the preliminary rounds, setting the stage for the intense competition ahead.,Following the retirement of Tokyo gold medallist Shingo Kunieda in 2023, the men's singles category is wide open, creating an air of anticipation and unpredictability.,Meanwhile, in the women's singles, Dutch sensation Diede de Groot is aiming for back-to-back Paralympic gold medals, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.,On Friday, South Africa's Donald Ramphadi and Lucas Sithole will go head-to-head against Chile's Francisco Cayulef and Diego Perez, with Ramphadi eager to leave his mark in his Paralympic debut after a remarkable 2023 season.,In the women's doubles, the American pair Dana Mathewson and Maylee Phelps will face off against Japan's Momoko Ohtani and Saki Takamuro, showcasing the high level of competition in the tournament.,The wheelchair tennis programme will offer a complete schedule of events, providing fans with numerous opportunities to witness the athletes' exceptional skills and determination.,In addition to the wheelchair tennis action, the Stade de France will host 14 medal events for Para athletics, marking the beginning of the largest Paralympic sport.,The women's discus F55 event is expected to be particularly captivating, with a history of different gold medallists in the last three major championships, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive showdown.,Notably, defending Paralympic champion Dong Feixia of China will face strong contenders including Mexico's Rosa Maria Guerrero Cazares and Colombia's Erica Maria Castano Salazar, ensuring an enthralling battle for the podium.