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- Welsh Para Star Funmi Oduwaiye Hopes World Championships Medal Will Be First Of Many
With her first throw of the F44 shot put final, Oduwaiye launched the shot out to a new personal best of 12.11m.
Although her remaining five throws were fouls, the Cardiff athlete’s opening effort was enough to secure a superb bronze medal in New Delhi.
Meanwhile, fellow Welsh athlete Harrison Walsh (Swansea Harriers) finished fifth in the F44 discus.
Former Wales basketball international Oduwaiye said of her bronze medal: “It feels great – I’m so happy I can achieve this.
“Hopefully there’s more to come,” added Oduwaiye, who finished behind China's Yao Juan and Arelle Middleton of the USA.
Despite admitting to feeling nervous before the competition, Oduwaiye stepped out into the huge Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and kept her cool to produce her medal winning effort.
“I took it calm – and usually when I’m calm and collected, the throws go better than expected,” she said.
“It was good that was the first throw – it was my only valid throw but I’ll take it!
“I felt quite relaxed – there were a few nerves last night but I just gave it my all.
“After that first throw I was able to remain calm and try to improve on it – there were a few good ones but unfortunately, I was making silly little mistakes that I never usually make.
“As long as the first one was valid, that’s all that matters!”
Oduwaiye’s bronze medal also brought her the Great Britain team’s Novuna Performance of the Day.
The 22-year-old juggles her sporting career with a degree in physiological science at the University of Bristol – travelling back to Cardiff to train.
Oduwaiye starts her second year this autumn – but hopes the university’s support will help to fulfil her sporting ambitions.
They include securing a place on Team Wales at next year’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games and for GB at the European Championships.
There are further hopes to pull on the GB vest again at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics.
“A lot has gone into this – starting university and commuting to Cardiff to train, so it’s all been very challenging,” added Oduwaiye, who finished fourth in the shot put earlier in the week.
“But they’re really aware of my sport and try to support me. I’m just taking it year by year – it’s Commonwealths and Europeans next year, then we’ll look towards what’s next.”
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In the evening session, Walsh produced a best throw of 51.49m in the discus final, while GB team-mate Dan Greaves finished two places ahead to claim bronze with 52.42m.
Walsh, who won bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games for Wales and finished seventh at last year’s Paralympics in Paris, said afterwards: “It is two places better than it was in Paris, so a better performance.
“Just a couple of things could have gone a different way and could have got a different result, but that is sport and why I do it.
“I love it for that reason and hate it at the same time.”
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