Second gold medal at Paralympics; javelin thrower misses out by 10 cm
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Finland’s medals haul at the Athens Paralympics improved again on Tuesday, with a track gold medal awarded to Leo-Pekka Tähti in the men’s 200 metres. Tähti, 21, won in a time of 25.25, just 0.07 seconds ahead of the fast-finishing Kenny van Weeghel of The Netherlands, with Dave Weir of Great Britain back in third. These are Tähti’s first Paralympics, and today he will be lining up for the 100 metres.
On the field, Rauno Saunavaara and Markku Niinimäki showed that the Finnish javelin tradition remains strong. Saunavaara threw a new Finnish record and took the silver medal, while Niinimäki finished fourth.
In fact Saunavaara’s first throw set a new world record of 26.79. It lasted only an hour, however, before the final effort by Luis Zepeda of Mexico sent the javelin just 10 centimetres further.
Finland now has two golds, a silver, and a bronze medal from the games. Jani Kallunki took a bronze in the men’s 66 kg judo, and on Monday Minna Leinonen captured a dramatic shooting gold.
On the field, Rauno Saunavaara and Markku Niinimäki showed that the Finnish javelin tradition remains strong. Saunavaara threw a new Finnish record and took the silver medal, while Niinimäki finished fourth.
In fact Saunavaara’s first throw set a new world record of 26.79. It lasted only an hour, however, before the final effort by Luis Zepeda of Mexico sent the javelin just 10 centimetres further.
Finland now has two golds, a silver, and a bronze medal from the games. Jani Kallunki took a bronze in the men’s 66 kg judo, and on Monday Minna Leinonen captured a dramatic shooting gold.
Helsingin Sanomat