Coutya Secures Double Gold, Gilliver Takes Silver at Championships

Dimitri Coutya added epee gold to his foil triumph earlier as the wheelchair fencer’s glittering week continued inside the Grand Palais.

The 26-year-old secured ParalympicsGB’s 42nd gold medal of Paris 2024 by defeating Thailand’s Visit Kingmanaw 15-10 in the gold medal match, surpassing the previous total of 41 achieved in Tokyo just three years ago. This pivotal victory not only raised the bar for Great Britain’s medal tally but also solidified Coutya’s place as one of the shining stars of this year’s Games.

Milestone Moments and Unyielding Spirit

Coutya expressed his elation at being the one to achieve this historic milestone, reflecting on his journey across these Games. “I’m so thrilled; it hasn’t sunk in,” he admitted. “I haven’t had time to process the results from Wednesday or last night.” The weight of his achievements is profound, and he credits an army of support behind him. “It’s testament to the hard work so many people have invested in me—teammates, support staff, friends, and family. There are so many I can’t even count.”

The resounding cheers from the crowd, echoing throughout the Grand Palais, served as a motivating force for Coutya. “There are so many people in the crowd here supporting me; they push me to be better, and they are a large part of the success I’ve had this week.” Such camaraderie, coupled with Coutya’s dedication, culminated in a brilliant Paralympic performance.

“The foil event is my personal favourite, but I put a lot of work into epee, and it means just as much to me to come away with Paralympic gold,” he said, underscoring the dual commitments he holds to both disciplines.

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Coutya’s success is not just a personal triumph; it represents a collective achievement for ParalympicsGB, a team that embodies resilience and determination. “I’m very proud to have been able to do that,” he declared. “Competing for ParalympicsGB is always such an honour and privilege, and the ethos they provide really helped push me this week.”

Trials, Triumphs, and Tactical Mastery

The path to gold was not a straightforward road for Coutya. In his opening last-16 clash against American Noah Hanssen, he found himself battling not just his opponent but the weight of expectations. “It’s always a struggle,” he noted candidly. “I was pretty convinced I was going to go out in the first round at one point; I was struggling, I wasn’t really feeling it.”

However, he summoned his inner fortitude and progressively found his rhythm, overcoming Hanssen before defeating Italy’s Michele Massa in the quarter-finals. The semi-final presented yet another challenge as he faced Poland’s Michal Dabrowski in a nail-biting match that concluded 15-13, ensuring at least one more medal for his collection.

As he approached the gold medal match, Coutya’s spirit was rejuvenated. “I found my form as the day went on, and it culminated in a gold medal,” he reflected, adding an inspiring reminder of the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.

Aiming for More Glories

This triumphant moment is not the end of Coutya’s quest for glory at the Paris Games. The men’s team epee event is set to take place on Saturday, and the anticipation is building. GB will open their campaign against hosts France at 11:40 (BST), and Coutya is eager to conclude his remarkable week with yet another achievement.

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“I will need some time to process everything, but we still have the team event tomorrow,” he said, embodying the spirit of a true athlete – never resting on past victories. “I just hope we see it off with the same consistency the whole team has been showing this week. Everyone has been brilliant, and no matter what happens, we should be recognised and proud of the way we fenced.”

Gilliver’s Silver: A Testament to Team GBR’s Strength

In category A of the men’s epee, Piers Gilliver added to his medal tally with a silver, enhancing the already illustrious story of ParalympicsGB’s performance in Paris. The 29-year-old from Gloucester fell just short against China’s Sun Gang, losing 15-12 in the final. Like Coutya, Gilliver demonstrated exceptional skill, layered with perseverance, managing to secure his second individual silver of the week after previously achieving the same feat in the sabre. His accomplishment is a reminder that every medal won is a chapter in the ongoing narrative of resilience that defines Paralympic athletes.

The collective achievements of these athletes underscore the vibrant tapestry of talent and determination that characterises the Paralympic movement. With the competition still unfolding, who knows what further milestones await? For Coutya and Gilliver, each bout is not merely a contest; it’s a chance to inspire, a moment to shine brighter, proving that the human spirit can overcome any challenge. Will the dreams of these athletes culminate in more gold glories for ParalympicsGB? Only time will tell.