Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023.- After the first round of throws, it was clear that Alessandro Rodrigo da Silva would once again claim the gold medal in the F11 class discus throw (visual impairment). 

In his first attempt at the Centro Atlético Mario Recordón at the Estadio Nacional, the venue for Para athletics at Santiago 2023, the Brazilian threw the implement 43.97 meters, and it was already known that none of his rivals could catch him, as eventually happened. 

In the end, on his fifth attempt, he achieved a mark of 44.95, which will go down as his third Parapan American gold medal. 

The 39-year-old from São Paulo showcased his impressive track record, including victories at the Paralympics in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, as well as the World Championships in London 2017, Dubai 2019, and Paris 2023, all in discus. 

Among his accomplishments is also the world record (46.24 meters) and the continental record (45.34), which he couldn't surpass at the Ñuñoa venue. 

Additionally, in shot put, a discipline in which he also competed on this occasion, he repeats Parapan American victories in Toronto, along with a silver at the World Championships in Paris and a Paralympic silver in Tokyo. 

At Santiago 2023, Da Silva was followed by the Cuban Andrileydis Silot (33.78) and the Venezuelan Wilmer Zambrano (32.41), who, in the final throw, surpassed his compatriot Franklin Rafael Bracho (31.69). 


Written by Macarena Navias; translated by Rocio Rojas / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport 
Ph: Jonnathan Oyarzún / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport