The curtain was drawn on the Paris Paralympic Games on Sunday, September 8. When it came time to take stock, out of the 42 African countries involved, ten won medals, including Mauritius, for the very first time in its history. Without too many surprises, the North African nations are the best-ranked.
Algerian fans can celebrate after a historic Paralympic Games. Compared to Tokyo, the Fennec athletes are in fact ahead of the Tunisians in the African medal table. And a 25th place in the general ranking for eleven medals including six gold.
The country equals its best performance, which dates back to Athens in 2004, thanks to a great harvest in athletics: seven medals including four gold, and a big first in canoeing thanks to Brahim Gendouze, who won the 200 meters. Quite simply the first medal and the first African title in the discipline at the Paralympics.
Just behind Algeria, Tunisia is in 27th place with five titles, including two for Raoua Tlili , a small athlete in shot put and discus.
Senegal, Cameroon, DRC, empty-handed
Morocco won fifteen medals, the best African total, but only three gold, mostly in athletics. Nigeria followed thanks to its weightlifters and thanks to Mariam Bolaji , bronze in badminton, the first podium in history for the continent, all Games combined.
Next come Egypt, South Africa, Ethiopia, Namibia, Kenya. But also Mauritius, which unlocks its counter thanks to Yovanni Philippe in the intellectual and relational disability category in bronze in the 400 m. On the other hand, Senegal, Cameroon, and the DRC are still waiting for their first podium. In total, 30 African countries have never won medals at the Paralympics.