NATIONAL para-athlete Akeem Stewart will be hoping to conclude his 2016 Paralympic Games campaign on a high when he lines up for the Men’s discus throw F43/44 final at Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil today.
Having already captured this nation’s first ever gold medal at the Games with a world record breaking throw (57.32 metres) in the Men’s javelin last Friday, Stewart will hit the field once more throwing the implement in the 10th and final position. He is also the world record holder in this event (63.03m), achieved at the Parapan Games in Toronto, Canada, last year, and will vie for honours alongside competitors from the USA, Estonia, Great Britain, Croatia, Slovakia and Cuba. The seasoned field athlete will enter this event as the one to beat and with all eyes on him as he bids for another podium place.
Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago’s Shanntol Ince bowed out of the 2016 Games yesterday having placed seventh in Heat Three of the Women’s 100m butterfly S9 event. Swimming out of lane one, Ince touched the wall in one minute 20.12 seconds and was unable to advance. Only the top eight fastest times from all three heats move on to the final.
The marine para-athlete had previously competed in the Women’s 400m S9, 100m S9 and 50m freestyle S9 but was unable to qualify for any finals.
Meanwhile, Nyoshia Cain will have another chance at securing precious metal at the Paralympic Games when she lines up for the Women’s 100m T44 event tomorrow.
On Wednesday, Cain was disqualified for a lane infringement after competing in the Women’s 200m T44. Even though she placed third in her heat, Cain was unable to progress to the final due to the International Paralympic Committee Code 18.5.