The French Trésor Makunda and Timothée Adolphe, successful in the 400m series, continue their adventure towards a world para athletics title in Paris, with the desire to “please” their audience, which also saw Dutch star Fleur Jong triumph on Monday. in the long jump. A jumping event, category T64 – which notably includes sportswomen amputated from one or both legs – which did not succeed in the French Typhaine Soldé, last.
“We are here, we are at home and everything is fine”. With an unfailing relaxation, and despite the fatigue of a 400m he has just finished, Trésor Makunda wanted to show “that we were not afraid”. The co-captain of the Blues qualified Monday morning for the semi-finals of the 400m, category T11 -visual impairment- thanks to a time of 51 sec 77/100, his best time of the season. And if a probable podium is still a long way off – the final takes place on Wednesday – Makunda is formal: “We will do everything to be two French people in the final, no one is above anyone”.
While the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris, a year before the Games, started on Sunday, Trésor Makunda sees “a French team that wants to please”. “We know that we are preparing for next year, if the public likes what we are doing, and they know us, then there will be a lot of people at the Games, that is also the objective”.
Timothée Adolphe also pleased the spectators at Stade Charléty by managing to set the best time of his series, and of his season, in 51 sec 63/100. “We were looking for a benchmark race, here we are,” said the 33-year-old sprinter with his guide Jeffrey Lami.
His satisfaction stood out on Monday with the tears of Typhaine Soldé, 10th and last in the long jump event. The 21-year-old, who notably bit her first two tries, failed to raise the bar. “I couldn’t explain it at the moment, I’m just disappointed,” said Typhaine Soldé, who nevertheless showed optimism. “It’s a failure today, but there is Paris next year and there is also everything that will happen after, I hope that next time I will cry with joy,” he said. she adds.
Without tears, but with a radiant smile, it was Fleur Jong, the big favorite of the event, who was crowned world champion, the last title missing from the list of the Dutch, reigning Paraympic champion. “I’m a complete champion now, that’s historic!” she rejoiced, Dutch flag on her shoulders. Like Typhaine Soldé, Jong first missed her first two jumps, before finally achieving the world championship record on her fifth attempt (6.28m).
Monday afternoon, other favorites will enter the competition like Lisa Adams in the shot put. The New Zealander, sister of the double Olympic champion Valérie Adams, who competes in the F37 category, had already won gold in 2021 at the Paralympic Games.
In wheelchair racing, the Swiss Marcel Hug (7 Paralympic medals) and the Briton Hannah Cockroft (7) should put on a show. Other French will try to open the tricolor medal counter with Vitolio Kavakava in the javelin throw (category F57), then Dimitri Jozwicki (100m, T38), Thibault Daurat and Julien Casoli (5000m, T54).