Paralympian stripped of gold medal after breaking her own record in Paris

Polish star Roza Kozakowska was stripped of a gold medal after a record-breaking showing in the women's club throw F32 event at the Paris Paralympics .

The 35-year-old wrote her name into the history books with a throw of 28.74 metres at the previous Games in Tokyo back in 2020. However, after registering a new world record with a throw of 31.30 metres with her first attempt at the event in the French capital, her jubilation was soon curtailed.

After recording a personal best, complaints were lodged from the Brazilian contingent in relation to her equipment, leading to Kozakowska being disqualified. It was eventually ruled that the Polish athlete's pillow - which supported her head during the event - contravened regulations due to its size.

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After organizers decided to strip the competitor what would have been a second successive Paralympic gold medal, the Polish Paralympic Committee said: "On Friday before midnight, a protest was filed by one of the teams, questioning the size of the pillow under our representative's head.

"The protest was upheld, and as a result, Roża was disqualified. The Polish team immediately appealed this decision. The appeal committee meeting took place this morning, unfortunately its decision was unfavourable for us. We take this ruling into account, such are the laws of sport and its rigorous procedures, we have to reckon with them.

"After the games, when understandable emotions have subsided, a transparent, thorough procedure will be initiated, which will aim to clarify the situation," they continued, as they urged organizers to undertake a review. "We keep our fingers crossed for all our Paralympians and wish them success."

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As a result of the athlete's disqualification, Tunisia's Maroua Ibrahmi took gold after a throw of 29.00 metres, with Parastoo Habibi of Iran taking silver as Brazil's Giovanna Boscolo Castilho Goncalves earned bronze. Kozakowska is not the only competitor who has had a medal stripped at the Games this summer either.

Jaryd Clifford had took bronze in the Men’s T13 5,000m final but was later disqualified too after it was ruled that he was not tethered correctly to guide Matthew Clarke. Taking to Twitter/X, he discussed the debacle, saying: "I’m absolutely gutted that we made such a critical mistake today.

"Remaining tethered is a fundamental rule of guiding & I’m shattered that I lost my mind in those finals metres," he continued, as he kept his focus set on putting things right in his next event, adding: "I’ve got so much more to give, I promise to bring everything for the 1500m on Tuesday."