Yucatecan Gilda Cota won a gold medal in Japan and secured her spot at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.
Gilda, 33, has an extraordinary story that serves as an example of never giving up on your goals. The Paralympic thrower earned a gold medal in the F33 shot put final with a world record mark of 7.77 meters at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championship in Kobe, Japan.
Gilda’s story is remarkable and an inspiration to never give up on your goals. She holds a degree in Criminology but her life took a turn when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis on June 5, 2020.
Despite suffering from depression after the diagnosis, Gilda decided to move forward and accepted an invitation to practice adaptive athletics for athletes with different abilities. Today, she is one of Mexico’s top para-athletes.
In Japan, Gilda faced a fierce competition but achieved her best record and world title in her sixth and final throw.
The second place went to Chinese athlete Wu Qing, who set an Asian record with 7.54 meters, while the third position was taken by neutral athlete Svetlana Krivenok with 7.49 meters.
“A gold medal means that when you set a goal and do it with your heart, giving yourself 100%, things can be achieved; today I’m giving Mexico a medal, also securing a spot at the Paralympic Games, and I’m giving my heart to them,” Gilda said, setting a world record in her event at the Grand Prix Xalapa 2024 with a mark of 8.23 meters.
“This gold medal is very important to me because it’s not the same as being born with a disability, but rather acquiring one, like I did with multiple sclerosis; the road has been very difficult, we’ve fought and battled, but in the end, with my heart always ahead, there was a result, and this gold medal for Mexico,” she expressed.
“I’m incredibly happy and grateful to be honest, just feeling the rush of understanding that I’m a world champion. This is all about me, my entire team, and Mexico.”
