Paralympic discus gold for Russia

By IANS,
By RIA Novosti,

London: Russia’s Alexei Ashapatov has hurled his way to Paralympic gold in the men’s discus for athletes who use wheelchairs, setting a new world record along the way Saturday.

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Ashapatov, who lost his leg in an accident in 2002, threw a record 60.72 metres, racking up 1,043 points in all attempts.

Rostislav Pohlmann of the Czech Republic recorded 951 points and claimed silver, while Egypt’s Metawa Abouelkhir got the bronze medal with 944 points.

Points are used to determine final positions because of the varying degrees of athletes’ disabilities.

Ashapatov, 38, claimed two gold medals at the Bejing Paralympic Games in 2008, excelling in the discus throw and the shot put.

Ashapatov’s gold is the fifth for Russia.