[UPDATED] Akeem Stewart earns Paralympic men's discus F64 silver

PARA-ATHLETE Akeem Stewart became Trinidad and Tobago’s joint-top Paralympic Games medallist when he captured silver in the men’s discus throw F64 final at the Stade de France in Paris on September 5.

Stewart, 32, threw a season’s best distance of 59.66 metres to earn his third Paralympic Games medal and finished behind the eventual gold medallist, American Jeremy Campbell, who set a new Paralympic record with his blistering 61.14m throw.

Stewart achieved his runner-up distance on the first of six attempts. Campbell also had the edge over Stewart from his first attempt and landed the discus on 60.46m.

Stewart fouled his second and third throws and recorded 56.55m, 58.89m and 57.09m in his final three throws.

Campbell, however, held his best throw for last as he affirmed gold with 61.14m on the sixth throw.

At the 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil, Stewart captured javelin (F22-44) gold and discus (F43-44) silver.

Claiming bronze was American David Blair (F44) with 57.76m.

He joins compatriot Rachael Marshall, who won double gold (javelin L5/shot put L5) and bronze (100m freestyle L6) at the 1984 Games in New York as the most decorated TT Paralympians.

TT’s Paralympic chef de mission Micky Ruben said Stewart is “very happy” with his performance and was elated to seal a podium place in France.

“Akeem said it couldn’t have gone better given the obstacles he had to overcome to get this one (medal). Right now, the whole Caribbean community in the Paralympic Village are over the moon with his performance.”

Ruben said they received support from chefs and athletes from other Caribbean nations, who came to the Stade de France to view Stewart’s performance.

The finish was extra special, he added, since none of TT’s 17-member contingent at the Paris Olympics was able to earn a top-three placing at the earlier Games.

“It was more of a sigh of relief that Akeem delivered because we came up here with the knowledge that this is our last chance to get a piece of the Eiffel Tower to come back to TT. We were happy with any colour medal,” Ruben said.

The TT chef credited TT Paralympic Committee president Sudhir Ramessar for playing a key role in making Stewart’s trip a success.

“Mr Ramessar works very hard. He works magic. He finds money, tickets, flights to get you outside to qualify. I can’t go without saying that about Ramessar.”

Ruben also acknowledged the hospitality shown by a group of France-based Trinidadians who brought pelau and sorrel juice for Stewart ahead of the final.

“Since we’ve been in France, they kept asking what he wanted and he said ‘home food.’ They cooked and drove to the village to drop the food. We got a lot of love out here from Trinis. They call us every day asking what we need and so on,” he added.

The Ministry of Sport and Community Development acknowledged Stewart’s achievement by posting congratulations on their Facebook page.

“With his incredible performance, Akeem has once again made TT proud, adding to his legacy of excellence that began with his gold and silver at Rio 2016. We salute Akeem for his dedication, strength and unwavering determination,” the post read.

TT Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Diane Henderson showered praise on Stewart, saying she was “very ecstatic”.

“I know that he was very capable, and he executed. We can do it in any competition as long as we prepare ourselves well,” Henderson said.

Additionally, TTOC’s immediate past president and Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) secretary general Brian Lewis hailed Stewart’s performance as a “great achievement”.

“He has overcome a number of obstacles. It’s an excellent result. Huge credit to him for his determination, dedication and commitment. I know he wanted to represent well for his dad who is ailing.

“His coach Wade Franklin worked with him and the Paralympic association delivered a tremendous team effort. I hope the country sees this opportunity to create more accessibility and inclusion for para-athletes,” Lewis said.

The TT squad leaves Paris for TT on September 10.

This story was originally published with the title "Akeem Stewart throws to Paralympic men's discus F64 silver" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Para-athlete Akeem Stewart became Trinidad and Tobago’s joint-top Paralympic Games medallist when he captured silver in the men’s discus throw F64 final at the Stade de France in Paris on September 5.

Stewart, 32, threw a season’s best distance of 59.66 metres to earn his third Paralympic Games medal and finished behind the eventual gold medallist, American Jeremy Campbell, who set a new Paralympic record with his blistering 61.14m throw.

Stewart achieved his runner-up distance on the first of six attempts. Campbell also had the edge over Stewart from his first attempt and landed the discus on 60.46m.

Stewart fouled his second and third throws and recorded 56.55m, 58.89m and 57.09m in his final three throws.

Campbell, however, held his best throw for last as he affirmed gold with 61.14m on the sixth throw.

Stewart’s Paralympic medal tally now stands at three, having captured javelin (F22-44) gold and discus (F43-44) silver at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Brazil.

Claiming bronze was American David Blair (F44) with 57.76m.

He joins compatriot Rachael Marshall, who won double gold (javelin L5/shot put L5) and bronze (100m freestyle L6) at the 1984 Games in New York as the most decorated US Paralympians.