President Díaz-Canel congratulates Cuba's Paralympic champions

Havana, August 31 (RHC/PL)-- Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel today congratulated via Twitter the first Cuban champions in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games -- jumper Robiel Yankiel Sol and sprinter Omara Durand.

On the social network, the Cuban leader highlighted the work of the young jumper of just 18 years of age, who against all odds took the title in the long jump category T46 with a mark of 7.46 meters.

"Impressive.  With his unprecedented jump in 15 Paralympics and against all odds, Robiel Yankiel won Cuba's first gold medal in the Paralympic Games.  Thank you and congratulations, champion, and a big embrace from the homeland," wrote Díaz Canel.

With his triumph, the young athlete from Havana also registered his name as a Paralympic record holder.

Shortly after Sol's success came that of Santiago's Omara Durand in the 400 meters, thus adding the second gold medal for Cuba in the race, and the sixth in her fruitful sports career.

"Our champion, Omara Durand, flew again on the track and achieved her sixth gold medal in a Paralympic Games.  What a great girl you are!   And we will surely go for more in Tokyo 2020. Congratulations," said the head of state.

The Cuban sprinter will return tomorrow to the track of the new Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, where she will compete in an elimination heat and the semifinal of the 100 meters, an event in which she also defends the title she won first in London 2012 and then in Rio de Janeiro 2016.