Discus thrower Vinod Kumar wins berth at the 2020 Paralympics

Indian discus thrower Vinod Kumar finished fourth in the finals of men's discus throw F52 event in the opening day of the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai and earned himself a place at 2020 Paralympics. Vinod threw a personal best of 19.29 to attain the qualification.

The men's discus throw event saw Latvia’s four-time Paralympic champion Aigars Apinis regaining the world title with a throw of 21.05 metres. Vinod, in his six attempts, threw 17.09, 17.98, 18.00, 17.93, 19.29, 17.97 respectively. However, he missed out a silverware after his throws fell short from Poland's Robert Jachimowicz, who threw a best of 19.91.

Vinod managed to win India's first quota from the Championship on virtue of finishing top 4 that too on the opening day on 7 November. Another Indian, Ajitkumar Panchal, missed out on the Olympics berth as he finished fifth, behind Vinod, throwing a best of 19.24.

A strong 23-member Indian team has gone to secure Tokyo 2020 Paralympics qualification slots at the Dubai 2019 World Para Athletics Championships.