Dong Feixia of China competes during Women's Discus Throw F55 Final at the Para Athletics World Championships held in Kobe, Japan, on May 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
KOBE, Japan, May 17 (Xinhua) -- China's Dong Feixia clinched the silver medal in the women's discus F55 final at the Para Athletics World Championships here on Friday.
The 35-year-old para athlete recorded a throw of 26.37 meters at the Universiade Memorial Stadium in the central Japanese port city of Kobe, on Day 1 of the major para athletics event.
Colombia's Erica Maria Castano Salazar claimed the gold with a personal best of 26.88m.
"I absolutely enjoyed today's competition which served as a great opportunity for me to observe my opponents. Their strong performance is always motivating me to advance," said Dong, who has qualified for the upcoming Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
The 2024 World Para Athletics Championships, the 11th edition of its kind, runs until May 27 at the Kobe Universiade Memorial Stadium, where over 1,000 athletes from 100 countries and regions are competing in 168 events.
Held in East Asia for the first time and a crucial qualifier for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the Kobe championships were originally scheduled to take place in 2021, but were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ■
Dong Feixia of China competes during Women's Discus Throw F55 Final at the Para Athletics World Championships held in Kobe, Japan, on May 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Julio Cesar Agripino dos Santos of Brazil competes with his guide Micael Batista dos Santos during Men's 5000m T11 final at the Para Athletics World Championships held in Kobe, Japan, on May 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Dong Feixia of China competes during Women's Discus Throw F55 Final at the Para Athletics World Championships held in Kobe, Japan, on May 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Shi Kangjun (R) of China competes during Men's 100m T47 Round 1 at the Para Athletics World Championships held in Kobe, Japan, on May 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Yeltsin Jacques of Brazil (R) celebrates with his guide Antonio Henrique Barreto Lima after Men's 5000m T11 final at the Para Athletics World Championships held in Kobe, Japan, on May 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Dong Feixia of China reacts during Women's Discus Throw F55 Final at the Para Athletics World Championships held in Kobe, Japan, on May 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Julio Cesar Agripino dos Santos (R, front) of Brazil competes with his guide Micael Batista dos Santos during Men's 5000m T11 final at the Para Athletics World Championships held in Kobe, Japan, on May 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
He Shanshan (3rd R) of China and her guide You Junjie compete during Women's 1500m T11 Round 1 at the Para Athletics World Championships held in Kobe, Japan, on May 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Wang Hao (C) of China competes during Men's 100m T47 Round 1 at the Para Athletics World Championships held in Kobe, Japan, on May 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Dong Feixia of China competes during Women's Discus Throw F55 Final at the Para Athletics World Championships held in Kobe, Japan, on May 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Erica Maria Castano Salazar of Colombia competes during Women's Discus Throw F55 Final at the Para Athletics World Championships held in Kobe, Japan, on May 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
