Pettey and Hughes fourth and fifth in discus throw at inaugural Para Pan Am Games

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

RIO – Kyle Pettey of Brampton, Ont., and Robert Hughes of Mississauga, Ont., ranked fourth and fifth in the men’s discus final on Monday as track and field competition got underway at the inaugural Para Pan American Games.

Carlos Leon of the U.S., launched a world record throw to win the gold with Alphanso Cunningham of Jamaica second and Tomas Haracio Bascioni of Argentina third.  The two Canadians followed in the standings.

The discus final had several disability categories therefore a points system determined the final standings.  Pettey and Hughes both set Pan Am records at 32.10 metres and 20.47 respectively in the F34 and F33 categories for athletes with cerebral palsy (CP).

‘’We’re struggling with the points table system but in the end Kyle lost out on a medal by four points,’’ said Pirnie.  ‘’Both of them still have another crack at a medal in the shotput on Wednesday.’’

In the men’s 1,500 metre for visually impaired semifinal, Jason Dunkerley of Ottawa and his guide Greg Dailey of Toronto, were the top qualifiers for Tuesday’s final breaking the Canadian and Pan American record clocking 4:07.93.  They smashed their previous mark of 4:14.19 set at the Athens Paralympics in 2004.  The world record is 4:05.11 held by Robert Matthews of Britain since 1989.

‘’Jason and Greg were totally dominant,’’ said Canada’s track and field coach Bruce Pirnie.  ‘’They’re going for the world record for sure in the final. They were actually a bit disappointed they didn’t get it today.  They are the best team here, they are like a couple of race horses in stride.  They are very fluid and fit.’’

Barry Phelan of Wingham, Ont., qualified second for the 200 sprint final in the CP T38 disability category  and William Stanley of Calgary advanced in the 200 final for visually impaired.

Competition continues through to next Sunday.

-AC-

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