• CUBA'S three athletes
participating in the World Paralympics performed
like an equilateral triangle in the Christchurch,
New Zealand event, which ended January 30 with China
winning 21 gold medals, 22 silver and 15 bronze.
The
performance of Cuba's athletes was truly admirable.
They not only won all of the events in which they
competed, but also set records either for the
competition or world-wide.
Omara Durand, from Santiago de Cuba,
was the most recent star in the Queen Elizabeth II
stadium, running the 400 meters in the T-13 category
in 54.87 seconds, the fastest in events around the
world this year, just 41 hundredths behind the all-time
record held by Marla Runyan from the United States,
established on January 3, 1995. Where Omara really
flew was in the 200 meters in which she registered a
time of 24.24 seconds.
In this event, Durand rediscovered
the success which launched her as a star in the
International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) 3rd
World Games in Sao Paulo and the Para-Pan American
Games in Río de Janeiro, both in 2007, during which
she dominated both the 200- and 400-meter
competitions at just 16 years of age.
Also undefeated was Yunidis
Castillo, 'daughter of the wind', who won the three
races she entered, including her debut in the 400
meters, with a 57.67 time. In the 100 and 200 meter
events she established world records of 12.20 and
24.86 seconds respectively. At 23 years of age,
Yunidis enjoys the status of double world record
holder and will certainly not stop until she sets
more record times on the track.
Discus thrower Leonardo Díaz
confirmed his dominance as a Paralympic champion and
owner of the best world record within the F-56
category. This time his longest throw flew for 43.10
meters, with three more possible records in six
attempts of 41.42; 42.22 and 42.78 meters.
Cuba's 'three musketeers' of track
and field claimed the 15th spot for the country
among 54 nations which won at least one medal.
Accompanying the victorious Chinese athletes were
those from Russia with 18 gold medals, 11 silver and
six bronze; Britain (12-9-17), Brazil (12-9-7),
Poland (12-7-6) and United States (9-10-14).
Pie: 19-year-old Omara Durand, world
champion in the 200 meters, with a time of 24.24
seconds.