media_artricles :: 2017

GOLDEN AKEEM!

Stewart wins Para Worlds javelin title with record throw

Akeem Stewart produced a golden throw at the World Para Athletics Championships in London, England, yesterday. The Trinidad and Tobago athlete topped the men's javelin F44 field with a huge 57.61 metres throw—a new F43 world record.

Stewart, who finished fifth in the discus F44 on Sunday, said victory in the javelin was a surprise.

"This is an event I only do as a sideline. I was injured in the discus and needed to do this to be able to do the shot (put). That's my main event. I was just giving this a go, really. I didn't expect to win at all."

Stewart enjoyed similar success in the event at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, striking gold with an F43 world record throw of 57.32m. The 25-year-old bettered his global standard with yesterday's 57.61m second round effort. The golden hurl was also a new F43 championship record, improving on the 54.77m thrown by Stewart in finishing fourth at the 2015 Para Worlds in Qatar.

"I didn't think I would get a medal in the javelin," said Stewart, "but I'm very, very happy. I didn't get it in Doha but now I am a world champion and a world record breaker. It is a dream come true."

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