On the first day of competition at the Beijing Paralympics, many events have determined their champions. However, the goalball competition, held in the gymnasium at the Beijing Institute of Technology, is at the preliminary round. Goalball is attracting a large audience as both men and women on China`s team are fairing well in their first Paralympic goalball competition. Our reporter Xiaoyu brings us more.

Reporter:

The whole gym went wild when China's men's goalball team beat the U.S.team, which is ranked as one of the world`s top 3 teams. The competition was fierce but enjoyable.

Chen Liangliang was China`s best shooter scoring 5 out of 9 goals for China. Although he felt a little bit nervous at the beginning of the match, Chen is satisfied with his performance.

"I'm satisfied with myself today. For the next games, I'll treat them as my first competition and take them seriously. Our goal is to fight in the semi-finals this year."
Hours before the men's team victory, China`s women`s team also got their first taste of victory in a preliminary against Brazil.

Although China's goalball teams have improved their skill in a very short time, to most of the audience goalball is still a new game. Yan Yuexin who brought her mother and sister to the gym to enjoy the game is one such example. She says she has never seen a goalball match before and was curious about the way it is played.

"Before, I was curious about what goalball is and how they play the game. Now that I've seen it, I enjoy watching it very much. At the same time I admire the players a lot. It`s definitely not easy for them to throw the ball into the net."

A goalball team has 6 players with 3 on the court at any given time. It is a game well suited for the visually impared. To keep things fair, all players wears eyeshades during the game. The object of the game is to throw the ball into the opponents net while defending your own net by blocking the ball with your body only. Since the players can not see they rely on a bell inside the ball to tell them where it is. Therefore the competition enjoys a uniquely quiet atmosphere.

Yan Yuexin told us the audience would remind each other to keep quiet so the players could concentrate.

"I was impressed with the behavior of the audience as well as the skill of the athletes. They reminded each other to keep quiet since they knew the players rely on the sound of the ball to play."

Janice Dawson is the head coach of the Canadian women's goalball team. She speaks highly of the audience as well.

"It's a very respectful audience. I think they've been well briefed on the game. They are quiet when they need to be quiet and cheer when they should cheer."

Goalball was first introduced to China in 1992. Over the past 2 years, the Chinese teams skill has developed rapidly. It has gradually become a sport popular among young people with visual-impairment. The Paralympic goalball competitions run until next Sunday.

Xiaoyu, CRI News.