Saturday, November 25th, 2023.- Brazilian Elizabeth Rodriguez won the gold medal in the shot put F53-54-55 class (competing in a seated position) as her throw of 7.63 meters earned her a score of 1,176 in the event held at the Centro Atlético Mario Rocordón of the Estadio Nacional. 

This marks her third medal at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games, having also won in shot put and secured third place in javelin. 

Born in the port city of Santos, Rodriguez was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1993 while practicing volleyball. She started playing wheelchair basketball and later transitioned to Para athletics. She currently holds the world record in discus throw with a mark of 17.80 meters in the F53 class (competing in a seated position). 

Rodriguez also won the gold medal in shot put at the Paris 2023 World Championships, in discus at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, as well as at the Dubai 2019 World Championships and the Toronto 2015 and Lima 2019 Parapan American Games. 

The female's shot put F53/54/55 also awarded Mexican athletes Gloria Zarza (1,018 points) and Rosa María Guerrero (1,008) with silver and bronze medals, both with a throw of 8.16 meters. Both set new Parapan American records, in the F54 and F55 categories respectively. 

Chile's María Francisca Mardones finished in fifth place with her best throw reaching 7.09 meters. 

Written by Ernesto Bustos B.–María Fernanda Pavez; translated by Rocio Rojas / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport 
Photo by Javier Salvo / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport