Omara “Record” Durand broke world record in 400m

With no pressure at all, Omara Durand won the preliminary heat in 400m, T-12 category, with world record (50.90s) as prelude of her third gold medal in this 15^th Paralympics Games.

Therefore, the Santiago de Cuba native has broken her second world record at the Joao Havelange Stadium. Azeri Elena Chebanu (56.53) and Venezuelan Grilyz Villaroel (59.71) ended way behind.

Next Saturday she will compete in the finals and her main opponents will be Ukraine Oksana Boturchuk (54.47), Mozambican Edmilsa Governo (54.94) and Spanish Melani Berges (57.52).

“As usual, we went out to run fast to show our hard training”, commented on a race that started at 11:09am with a beautiful and sunny day.

“We wait until Saturday”, she stated to JIT. She is exhausted, but very happy with her guide Yuniol Kindelan, former conventional runner of Cuba’s national team in 400m.

Yuniol commented that “the 400m race is the one I feel more comfortable with. Nonetheless, we have adapted very well. She is in excellent shape that is why we are enjoying these results”.

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Diaz / Cubasi Translation Staff