The Cuban delegation to theVII Parapan American Games of Santiago 2023 This Tuesday she won three important gold medals in athletics: one in 400 meters, another in javelin, and the third in 200 meters, with the legendary multiple Paralympic championOmara Durand.
Durand, who has been an eight-time Paralympic champion and world record holder in the T12 category - agreed for those with profound visual impairments -He triumphed this Tuesday in the 200 meters final with a time of 23.63 seconds.
In second and third place finished the Venezuelan Alejandra Pérez (25.63 s.) and the Brazilian Lorraine Gomes (26.75 s.).
Accompanied as always by her guide, Yuniol Kindelán, the Cuban - who with this triumph also reached eight gold medals in the Parapan American Games - came into contention for the title after achieving a spectacular time of 23.59 s in the semi-finals, which set a new record. continental.
She herself was the previous record holder with a time of 23.67 s., achieved in Lima 2019, a mark now also surpassed in the final.
"All these good moments are intense, pleasant. It is very comforting to know that the effort pays off"Durand commented in statements collected by the sports portalJIT.
"We prepared for that, to surpass ourselves, to lower marks. However, we did not leave with a number in mind but with the conviction of winning, which is the important thing," acknowledged his guide, Yuniol Kindelán, who confessed proud and privileged to share the successes with the champion, who still has the challenge of the 100 and 400 meter dash ahead of her.
In addition to Durand, Daniel Milanés also won gold in the 400 meter dash in the T47 category, with a time of 49.94 seconds. The young athlete, only 19 years old, went under 50 seconds for the first time.
In their case, second and third place were occupied by the Americans Tahmar Upshaw (50.67 s.) and Rayven Sample (50.68 s.).
"I didn't expect the result and the mark to come out. However, I had confidence in being able to do a good race and beat the forecast. I knew in some way that I could show what I am capable of," the athlete declared to the aforementioned sports media. .
"I was injured before getting here and that made the work harder after recovering. I am very happy that, in addition to the title, I was able to go under 50 seconds", he added.
WasUlicer Aguilera, in javelin of the F13 category, who achieved another of the gold medals of the day for Cuban athletics.
His throw of 61.11 meters was a new Parapan American record, a mark with which the Cuban surpassed 60 meters for the first time in his sporting career and left behind his own continental mark, which he established at 59.12 meters at the Lima Games.
"I am very happy. We studied that it was possible to win the title, but above all to pass the 60-meter barrier, which would mean breaking my record achieved in Lima 2019," he highlighted.
Cuba closed the day in seventh place in the medal table, with eight gold, four silver and seven bronze medals.
Brazil comfortably leads the general table with 67 crowns, 45 subtitles and 43 third places.
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