India’s Yogesh Kathuniya has once again proven his mettle on the Paralympic stage, securing a silver medal in the men’s discus throw F-56 event at the ongoing Games. This marks his second consecutive Paralympic silver, adding to his impressive collection of medals.
Kathuniya, 27, began his Paralympic journey in Tokyo three years ago, where he clinched a silver medal with a throw of 44.38m. This time around, he opened his campaign with a season’s best effort of 42.22m, securing his place on the podium.
The F-56 classification encompasses athletes with limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power, and impaired range of movement. Kathuniya’s journey to the Paralympics has been marked by resilience and determination. At the age of 9, he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare autoimmune condition that can lead to paralysis.
Despite the challenges, Kathuniya’s mother, Meena Devi, played a pivotal role in his recovery. She learned physiotherapy to help him regain muscle strength and walk again. His father’s service in the Indian Army also instilled in him a spirit of perseverance.
Kathuniya’s academic achievements are equally impressive. He holds a commerce degree from Delhi’s prestigious Kirori Mal College. In addition to his two Paralympic silver medals, he has also won three world championship medals, including two silver and a bronze.
While Kathuniya may not have been entirely satisfied with his performance on Monday, given his previous best of 44.38m, his silver medal is a testament to his unwavering spirit and the support of his family and coaches.
Brazil’s Claudiney Batista dos Santos, Kathuniya’s toughest competitor, dominated the event, setting a new Games record with a throw of 46.86m. Dos Santos, a three-time world championships gold medalist, has held the Paralympic record in this category since the last edition in Tokyo.
Greece’s Konstantinos Tzounis claimed the bronze medal with a throw of 41.32m, while Slovakia’s Dusan Laczko finished fourth with a best effort of 41.20m.
