IAAF World Para Athletics Championship in London: Understanding Cuba among Golden Signs

IAAF World Para Athletics Championship in London: Understanding Cuba among Golden Signs
Fecha de publicación: 
24 July 2017
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A total of 1,056 disabled athletes from 213 nations will compete at the Olympic Stadium of London. Cuba, despite participating with few athletes, leaves its imprint.

Led by the several-time World Champion and World and Paralympics record holder Omara Durand, the athletes headed by trainer Miriam Ferrer will try to perform the best they can. I personally do not believe they may get the same outstanding results as they did in Doha, when they won 7 gold medals and 2 silver medals.

The best thing of all is that these disabled athletes live together with Cuban top athletes following special training plans. They even compete against these top athletes while training. It occurred mainly in track and field, but as the swimming pools of the Baragua Swimming Facility are working again, swimming is another sports discipline to share.

Such possibility strengthens disabled athletes’ competitiveness and psychology. It also contributes to their better understanding of real stressful situations and reduces the negative image some may create due to their handicap.

Let’s Get to the Point

Durand opened the competition with 23.58s in 200m and this result could not be matched by any of her other two rivals. Unfortunately, the race was not certified as only three women competed.

In the 400m race, she had an impressive mark. Her 52.75s are new record for the competition. But this result was not certified either as her sole opponent was Spanish Melani Berges (57.68s). She also won the 100m with 11.52s along with her runner guide Yuniol Kindelan.

Lenier Savon: This athlete has just gotten better within the competition and it has been his philosophy. He set a Championship Record with 10.72s in the T-12 category. Savon took early advantage over his rivals with his explosive sprint.

The Guantanamo native was disqualified in the 200m race but the causes are still unknown yet.

Leonardo Diaz set new record with 45.47m in discus throw F-55/56

He arrived at the Big-Ben City with some doubts. He stated that his training was not optimal and he was somehow doubtful with his technique. But no one in the world throws the discus as he does.

His attempts were clean and amazing: three attempts over the 43.53m and no fouls committed. The Bayamo native performed at his best at the age of 42 years old and defeated his main opponent in the last five years, Iranian Ali Mohammadyari (43.53m).

Luis Felipe Gutierrez: He jumped 1.88m and shared the silver medal with American Tyson Gunter. Both remained far behind the gold medalist American Isaac Jean-Paul winner with 2.17m. Gutierrez will also participate in the long jump final to be held the upcoming Saturday.

Ernesto Blanco: The Paralympics champion in Rio 2016 with impressive 48.79s advanced to the finals of the 400m with 51.99s. The stamina was not enough and he ran in 50.79s and ended 4th.

That was a final review before other stellar athletes compete in the same stadium fifteen days from now. Let’s wait and see!

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Diaz / CubaSi Translation Staff

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