Croatian athlete Velimir Šandor has won a bronze medal at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in discus. This is Croatia’s 15th Paralympic medal to date
Šandor, who was confined to a wheelchair after a traffic accident ten years ago, has won the bronze by throwing a discus 18.24 metres. The gold went to Latvian Aigars Apinis with 20.83 m, while silver went to Polish Robert Jachimowicz with 19.10 m, Jutarnji List reported on September 8, 2016.
“I am overjoyed, these are my first Paralympics and right off I have a medal. I was hoping before the competition that I would make it bronze and I did,” said 30-year-old Šandor, born in Opatija in Pokupsko.
Šandor announced his potential in the World Games in Soči where he won gold, followed by third place at the World Championship in Doha last year, as well as silver at the European Championship in Grosseto this year.
“Each of my six shots was a medal winner, which gives me joy. I had no oscillations. I was close to my personal record (18.53). Now I need to work more and be better,” said the member of AKOSI Uspon from Velika Gorica.
Šandor now has three days of rest before returning to Croatia, which he will use to explore Rio and support other Croatian athletes, followed by a celebration in Opatija.
“I believe there’s something already on the spit,” he said with a smile.
The joy over his medal was shown by his coach Ivan Čengić. They have been working together for four years.
“We knew he could reach a medal. He had that result in his hand. Velimir trains and throws shot put, we’ll try javelin too and see,” Čengić said.
The selector of the Paralympic Team Tomislav Krstičević can be satisfied after the first day of competition with a bronze and a sixth place.
“Šandor has again made an excellent result at a big competition. His success is great. We can be satisfied as Miljenko Vučić was sixth with a personal record. It would be nice if every day was like this one Some results from the world and European championships give us hope, but we will see,” said Krstičević.
