Ukrainian Paralympian Pomazan clinches third gold medal of her career
Photo: invasport.org.ua
During the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France, representatives of the F35 class competed in the shot put sector, and Ukrainian athlete Mariia Pomazan was awarded the gold medal.
Suspilne.Sport reports this.
Mariia Pomazan, a 35-year-old Ukrainian athlete, has participated in four Paralympic Games over the course of her career:
- she made her debut in the 2012 Games in London, where she became the champion in the shot put and won a silver medal in the discus throw;
- at the 2016 Games in Rio, she won a silver medal in the shot put;
- in the 2020 Games in Tokyo, she triumphed once again in the shot put discipline.
At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, the Ukrainian athlete took the lead in the race for gold in her first attempt, throwing the shot put 12.75 meters. None of the other para–athletes were able to top Pomazan's performance, with her being 81 centimeters ahead of the reigning world record holder, Jun Wang.
In this way, the Ukrainian won the second Paralympic "gold" in a row.
The silver medalist was 34-year-old Chinese Jun Wang, who holds the current world and Paralympic records. This time, the Rio 2016 champion showed a result of 11.94 meters in her best attempt.
Shot put, ladies. Class F35
- Mariia Pomazan (Ukraine) — 12.75
- Jun Wang (China) — 11.94
- Anna Nicholson (Great Britain) — 9.44
It is worth mentioning that Mariia Pomazan achieved one of her five Paralympic medals 12 years ago in London for discus throwing, where she took home the silver medal as runner-up. All her other awards were earned in her specialty event, shot put.
The Ukrainian national team's medal tally in Paris–2024 will now consist of 53 awards: 14 gold, 18 silver, and 21 bronze.
In turn, President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the performances of Ukrainian athletes at the 2024 Paralympics and called them the country's pride.
"Every time our athletes stand on the podium, it is a source of pride for all of Ukraine.
During the two days of the Paralympics in Paris, our team won 17 awards, including eight gold medals, six silver medals, and three bronze awards.
We are proud of everyone who represents our country at the Paralympic Games. Thank you for your strength and incredible will to win!" the head of state emphasized.
For reference:
The 2024 Summer Paralympic Games will be held from August 28 to September 8, 2024, in Paris at the same venues used for the Olympic Games.
At the opening ceremony, the Ukrainian flag was carried by fencer Olena Fedota-Isaieva and rower Roman Poliansky.
At the previous competitions in Tokyo, Ukraine took 6th place in the medal count, having won a total of 98 awards, 24 of which were gold.
