Yogesh Kathuniya won a silver medal in the Men’s F-56 Discus Throw at the Paris Paralympics on Monday, September 2, bringing India’s total medal count to eight at the prestigious event. Yogesh secured silver with a season-best throw of 42.22m.
This marks Yogesh’s second Paralympic silver medal, following his 2021 success at the Tokyo Paralympics. The 27-year-old Indian athlete faced tough competition from Brazil’s Claudiney Batista dos Santos, whose exceptional performance earned him the gold medal.
Batista broke the all-time Paralympic record (45.59m) with his second throw, reaching an impressive 46.45m. He didn’t stop there and extended his record further with a throw of 46.86m in his second-to-last attempt, setting a new Paralympic record. This achievement in Paris adds another prestigious milestone to Batista’s extraordinary career.
The Brazilian now boasts three Paralympic gold medals, having won his first in Rio in 2016 and successfully defending it at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021. Batista is also a three-time world champion, with gold medals at the 2019, 2023, and 2024 World Championships in Dubai, Paris, and Kobe, respectively.
In addition to his golds, Batista earned a silver medal in the men’s javelin throw at the 2012 London Paralympics.
Meanwhile, Yogesh’s quest for a Paralympic gold continues. Despite achieving his season-best on his first attempt, he couldn’t surpass that mark in his subsequent five attempts, which measured 41.50m, 41.55m, 40.33m, 40.89m, and 39.68m, respectively.
Yogesh Kathuniya’s Notable Achievements:
1. 2020 Tokyo Paralympics | Discus Throw F56 | Silver |
2. 2023 Paris World Championships | Discus Throw F56 | Silver |
3. 2024 Kobe World Championships | Discus Throw F56 | Silver |
4. 2019 Dubai World Championships | Discus Throw F56 | Bronze |
