Greg Stewart won Canada’s second gold medal of the Paralympic Games on Day 6 of the Para athletics program in Tokyo, taking the crown with a Paralympic record throw of 16.75 metres in the men’s F46 shot put final.
“I can’t even describe it yet. I don’t have the words. It’s been a very cool experience. I think it will really hit me when I talk to my family – my girlfriend, my parents – and get back to the Village and spend some time with the rest of the team,” said Stewart. “I went in thinking – just have fun. Ultimately, that’s what matters. The rest just took care of itself.”
That record-smashing throw was his first of the competition. Having set the standard in the first round, the rest of the field could not match it. His Paralympic record makes that gold medal shine just a little brighter.
“It’s about remembering why we’re here, accepting what is and looking at the reality of being in this moment. This was a Top 8 finish already, so there’s nothing to lose. Just go out there and throw, and trust in the process,” said Stewart. “I didn’t even know how far I threw on the first one. I just let it happen. Dylan (Armstrong, Stewart’s coach and 2008 Olympic bronze medallist) always says to throw your furthest and your hardest on your very first one and let the other people deal with that.”
Tokyo represents Stewart’s first Paralympic Games. The 7-foot-2 athlete previously excelled at basketball and sitting volleyball. In 2017, Stewart, who was born without the lower part of his left arm, attended a development camp for Para sports, where he began training in throwing. Two years later, he was the World and Parapan American Games silver medallist. Two years after that, his record-breaking gold medal performance in Tokyo.
Lakatos earns his third medal of Tokyo 2020
Brent Lakatos scored his third silver medal of the Games, this time taking second in the men’s T53 100 metres with a time of 14.55 seconds.
“My time was fine. It is what I would expect right now. With my focus on the longer distances, I haven’t been able to focus on the 100 metres as much as I have in years past. It’s nothing stellar, but I’m satisfied with the time,” said Lakatos. “The world has gotten a lot faster and that time doesn’t win gold anymore.”
This silver medal is the 10th Paralympic medal in Lakatos’s career, tying him with Andre Viger on Canada’s all-time medals list.
“It’s pretty crazy. I was thinking that I was going to retire in 2008. I think I took most of the year off in 2009 before deciding to come back,” said Lakatos. “I’ve somehow managed to get 10 medals so it’s a huge surprise to me, considering where I’ve come from.”
There is no rest for Lakatos, as he is right back on the track tomorrow morning. “Tomorrow is the 800 metres and that’s probably my strongest shot (at a gold medal). I’m pretty fired up for that race already,” said Lakatos. “In the 800 metres, I can influence the race because it’s in a peloton. I can use my experience and my strategy, and I have some good strategies I can use. I can also use my endurance. I think I have the best endurance out of the field. So, there are a lot of strengths that I can rely upon and I’m going to use them to their fullest tomorrow.”
Bolton finishes a strong Paralympic debut
Charlotte Bolton finished sixth in the women’s F41 discus event, throwing a new North American record of 27.72 metres in the process.
“I felt a lot more relaxed going in. No more nerves. I’m really happy with my throws today,” said Bolton. “Overall, I’ve had a really great time. I’m super proud of myself.”
She concludes her first Paralympic Games with two sixth-place results and her eyes squarely set on Paris in 2024. “First we take a break. Then we train like crazy,” said Bolton.
