Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023.-
The male's javelin throw F54 closed the second day of Para athletics at Santiago 2023, held at the Estadio Nacional’s Centro Atlético Mario Recordón, with a new continental record.
Mexican Para athlete Edgar Ulises Fuentes achieved a mark of 30.32 meters in his first attempt, surpassing the previous record set by Jamaica's Alphanso Cunningham at Lyon, France, in 2013, with a throw of 24.30 meters.
Fuentes, who finished 6th in the final rankings of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, left no chances for the American Justin Phongsavanh, the current world record holder (Minneapolis 2021) and Parapan American record holder at Lima 2019, who took the silver with a throw of 29.41 meters.
The podium was completed by another Mexican, Johnatan Salinas, with a throw of 22.08 meters.
The F54 class includes field athletes with very limited movement in the mid-torso and legs. It's important to note that all athletes in this class throw from a seated position and generate power through a full range of motion in their arms, shoulders, and torso.
Written by Ernesto Bustos B. – Paula Vivanco; translated by Rocio Rojas / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Photo: Javier Salvo / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
