It’s certain: Róża Kozakowska, who won the club throwing competition (class F32) at the Paris Games, has been disqualified – the Polish Paralympic Committee has announced. The athlete used non-regulation equipment. The appeal was rejected.
Róża Kozakowska /Polish Paralympic Committee PKPar /PAP
Róża Kozakowska was disqualified from the Paralympics after Brazil filed a protest late in the evening. The Pole allegedly had an inappropriately sized pillow under her head during the club throw.
The protest was upheld, and as a result, Kozakowska, who won the competition yesterday (breaking the world record – editor’s note), lost her gold medal. The Polish team immediately appealed this decision. During Saturday’s session of the appeal committee, the appeal was dismissed. The Pole was stripped of her gold medal and her record result was annulled.
In this situation, the competition was won by Tunisian Maroua Ibrahmi (29.00) ahead of Parastoo Habibi from Iran (26.29) and Brazilian Giovanna Goncalves (26.01).
Yesterday, 35-year-old Kozakowska threw the club 31.30 meters in her first attempt, breaking her own world record in the F32 class by over 2.5 meters.
However, her victory at the Stade de France came at the cost of a painful injury. After her second throw, her shoulder came out of joint and she had to finish the race in terrible pain and tears.
The pain was terrible. I know everything about pain, but this one surprised even me. Despite everything, I decided to throw again, because I was afraid that I would let down all those who support me, help me and are with me. I threw again, although I could barely hold the club. If I had known that I had broken the world record, I would not have tried it again. And my arm flew out of my shoulder again. If it weren’t for the skin, it would probably have flown with the club. The pain was like an axe in my leg! – said the Pole after the performance. However, she did not hide her great joy at winning.
I am glad that I will be able to hear Dąbrowski’s Mazurka again. Not only me, because it is for all those who do not have the strength to fight for themselves. I show them all that despite pain, suffering and all adversities, you can reach the top – she said.
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