With the best throw of his life, javelin thrower Guillermo Varona achieved Paralympic glory, earning Cuba its third gold medal on Tuesday at the Paris 2024 Games. This victory follows titles won by stars Robiel Yankiel Sol and Omara Durand.
The athlete from Camagüey, competing in the F46 category, hurled the javelin 66.14 meters at the Stade de France, significantly improving his fourth-place finish (63.30 meters) at the Tokyo 2020 multi-sport event. The throw marked a continental record in a tightly contested event, with India's Ajeet Singh (65.62 meters) and Gunjar Sundar (64.96 meters) taking silver and bronze, respectively, while Mexico's Gabriel Buenaventura (61.65 meters) finished fourth.
The day was spectacular for the Cuban delegation, as just hours earlier, Sol and Durand defended their titles in the long jump and 400 meters, respectively. Sol captured gold with a leap of 7.41 meters in the T47 category final, surpassing China's Wang Hao (7.32 meters), who took silver, and Russia's Nikita Kotukov (7.05 meters), who earned bronze.
Sol's victory capped a competitive cycle that included wins at the World Championships in Paris 2023 and Kobe 2024, as well as the Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, last season. Meanwhile, alongside her guide Yunior Kindelán, Durand (T12) clocked 53.59 seconds, placing ahead of Iran's Hajar Safarzadeh Ghahderijani (55.39 seconds) and Ukraine's Oksana Boturchuk (55.67 seconds).
"I am very happy to win this gold. I am enjoying it a lot. I did my best time of the season, but I came here to win a medal. I wasn't worried about any specific time. I am a fulfilled athlete and feel very happy with all I have achieved in my career," Durand told the accredited press.
"I hang my medals in different places. Some are at my mother's house, others at my home, and some I keep in various spots because there are many. This one will be in my living room," she confessed.
Omara Durand, who will retire after the competition, aims for a golden trio in the 100 and 200 meters at these Paralympic Games, a feat she already accomplished at both Rio de Janeiro 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
Following these results, Cuba ranks 23rd on the overall medal table, with three titles and one second-place finish, according to the official event website.
Key Highlights from Cuba at the Paralympic Games
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding Cuba's remarkable performance at the Paralympic Games, particularly focusing on Guillermo Varona's achievement and contributions from other Cuban athletes.
Who is Guillermo Varona?
Guillermo Varona is a Cuban javelin thrower who recently won a gold medal in the F46 category at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
What was Guillermo Varona's record-breaking throw?
Guillermo Varona achieved a throw of 66.14 meters, setting a new continental record.
How did other Cuban athletes perform at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games?
Robiel Yankiel Sol and Omara Durand also defended their titles in the long jump and 400 meters, respectively, contributing to Cuba's medal tally.
Where does Cuba stand in the overall medal table at the Paralympic Games?
As of the latest results, Cuba is ranked 23rd on the overall medal table, with three gold medals and one second-place finish.