WANA (Sep 28) – Amanollah Papi claimed the bronze medal at the World Para Athletics Championships, securing the first medal for Iran’s delegation.

 

On the second day of the 12th edition of the World Para Athletics Championships in India, the men’s javelin throw F57 event was held this evening. Amanollah Papi, representing Iran, competed against nine other athletes from Uzbekistan, Turkey (two athletes), Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, India (two athletes), and France.

 

Papi, who had finished fourth at the Paris 2024 Paralympics with a throw of 47.63 meters, recorded the following throws in today’s competition:

 

  • 1st attempt: 48.05 m
  • 2nd attempt: 50.14 m
  • 3rd attempt: 50.45 m
  • 4th attempt: 49.15 m
  • 5th attempt: 50.75 m
  • 6th attempt: 51.55 m

 

With his best mark of 51.55 meters on his final throw, Papi secured third place and the bronze medal. He already holds a Paralympic silver from Tokyo 2020, as well as a gold and silver from the 2017 and 2019 World Championships in the same event.

This bronze came with a strong performance, as Papi improved his mark by 3.92 meters compared to the Paris 2024 Paralympics. However, his rivals were in top form as well, producing even longer throws.

 

The title went to Mohammad Khalvandi, an Iranian-born athlete competing for Turkey, with 53.30 meters—3.33 meters better than his result at the Paris Paralympics. Yurkimbek Odilov of Uzbekistan, the reigning Paralympic champion, took silver with 52.06 meters, improving by 1.74 meters from Paris.

 

As is often the case in this event, appeals and protests from various teams may affect the final results, potentially leading to changes in the rankings. A similar situation occurred at the Paris Paralympics, where Papi was initially announced as the champion but was later moved down to fourth place following appeals.