by Stuart Weir
Miguel Montero sets F40 Men’s shot put record, photo by IPC
Stuart Weir wrote this piece on the 2021 European Para Athletics Championships, Day 1, in Silesia, Poland this week.
Joanna Mazur (5:03.24s) in the women’s 1500m T11, 2021 European Parathletics Champs, photo by IPC
European Para Athletics Championships
The seventh edition of the European Para Athletics Championships started with a world record on Tuesday Morning (1 June) in Bydgoszcz, Poland. If you have never followed para-athletics, it is a phenomenal part of our sport. The ethos is simple – find a way to do it. If your legs don’t work, get a prosthetic or use a wheelchair. If can’t see use a guide. The diversity and range of the sport are staggering – amputees, visually impaired, cerebral palsy, dwarfism, wheelchair, etc. But make no mistake they are real athletes who are good because they train and work their socks off.
The competition started well for the host nation, Poland. Out of 11 finals in the morning session, three had Poland in the first place.
Faustyna Kotlowska set a new Discus F64 championship record today, June 1, photo by IPC
The world record holder Faustyna Kotlowska was inspired by the women’s discus throw F64. She set the new championships record with a 34.58m throw.
“I am proud that I got the gold medal. I hope that Poland will get the same results as we did three years ago in Berlin and that we will be the best at the Euros”, said Kotlowska.
Para Athletics Men’s Javelin, photo by IPC
Joanna Mazur (5:03.24s) in the women’s 1500m T11 and Karolina Strawinska (19.76m) in the women’s discus throw F55 were the other two Polish winners in the morning session.
Miguel Montero, F40 Men’s shot put, 2021 European Para Athletics Champs, photo by IPC
Portugal’s Miguel Monteiro broke other championships record in the men’s shot put F40. The Portuguese trailed behind Russia’s Dmitry Dushkin until the fourth attempt when Monteiro took the lead with 10.92m.
Miguel Montero, F40 Men’s shot put, 2021 European Para Athletics, June 1, 2021, photo by IPC
Finland’s Marjaana Heikkinen won her third consecutive European Championships title in the women’s javelin throw F34 (17.85m).
The action continues until the weekend
