Monday evening in the Central American Stadium saw another action packed night of track and field athletics at the IWAS World Junior Games in the city of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

With over 80 athletes competing in 26 events there were inspiring performances by some of the World’s best youngsters. 

(The World Junior Games is for athletes with physical disabilities under the age of 23 and features Swimming, Archery, Athletics and Para Triathlon.)

One of the highlights of the evening was the Men’s 200m wheelchair final where Finland’s Henry Manni set a new European Record when he narrowly beat Niklas Aimers of Sweden in a time of 28.98. Later on they were against each other in what was one the best races of the evening the 1500m T33/34/52/54, again Manni was victorious.

Another excellent race that thrilled the crowd was the Mens 200m U23 T42/46 when Daniel Jorgensen from Denmark (who won gold on Sunday in the 100m) just beat Germanys Nick Weihs and the Russian Ivan Prokopyev for gold.

(Daniel has already won bronze in the F42 long jump at the London 2012 Paralympics and also competed at the IPC World Champs last month where he finished just outside the medals in the sprints and the long jump.)

Other notable gold medal performances by athletics in the various 200m races included Brazilian Bruno Marins Araujo, Russian athlete Chermen Kobesov, Bulgarian Antoan Bozhilker and another gold medal for American Jessica Rogers.

The wheelchair discus U23m was won by Russian thrower Vladislav Frolov and his Svetlana Krivenok won the female U16 discus.

Another double gold medallist in the stadium was the superbly talented Finish wheelchair racer Amanda Kotaja who comfortably won the 200 and 1500m T34/53/54 races to bring her total to four gold medals.

So far there have been 3 Junior World Records and tonight’s European Record in the Central American Stadium

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The track and field athletics continues Tuesday in the Central American Stadium before the Para Triathon event concludes the World Junior Games on Wednesday 14^th August ahead of the Closing Ceremony

Tony Garrett IWAS Reporter

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With the 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil fast approaching these World Junior Games will help promote Paralympic sport in Central America and the Caribbean and with the theme of the Games slogan “Inspire, Excel and Succeed” the Championships is a valuable event in the Paralympic calendar to help develop young athletes from grass roots through to the elite level of sport.

The city of Mayaguez is the third largest city in Puerto Rico and is located in the West coast of the Island.

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The 10th World Junior Games are scheduled to be held at Stoke Mandeville Sports Stadium in the UK between the 3rd to the 8th August 2014.

For further information, please visit website:      http://www.iwasjr2013.com/ or www.iwasf.com

Notes to the Editor:

Our Mission: IWAS is a founder member of the Paralympic movement, has the mission to develop sporting opportunities for athletes to maximize their potential.

It is the only organisation that provides a full international competition programme at the entry, development and qualifying levels in support of the IPC and the Paralympic movement

For further details please contact

Charmaine Hooper

Chief Operating Officer

International Wheelchair & Amputee