Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023.- Caio Vinicius da Silva delivered a strong performance in the F12 shot put (visual impairment) to claim the gold medal at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games. 

The reigning champion of the continental event recorded a throw of 14.50 meters to secure victory, surpassing the American Devin Huhta (13.68) and the Argentine Antonio Rodas (13.23). 

With this mark, he also set a new continental record, breaking the previous record held by the Dominican Alfonso Olivero Encarnación since Rio de Janeiro 2007. 

Da Silva and the Argentine Jonathan Marín (last with 11.36) were the only participants to have all their throws counted. 

Furthermore, the 43-year-old athlete from São Paulo, who also finished fifth in the 2016 Rio Paralympics, demonstrated remarkable consistency, achieving distances of 14.50 meters twice and 14.49 meters once. 

"I returned to compete in September and prepared to achieve a good result. We worked very hard for the gold medal. I am very excited," he said. 


Written by Macarena Navias; translated by Paulette Bertín / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport
Ph: Jonnathan Oyarzún / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport