Exceptional protagonist of the last ones Tokyo Paralympics 2020 it was without a doubt Oney Tapia, Cuban-born athlete, specialized in discus throwing and shot put where he won the double bronze medal, was blinded at the age of 35 due to an injury at work. Born in Havana, it was in 2002 that Tapia moved to Italy to follow his dream in baseball: he becomes pitcher of the Old Rags of Lodi, and in the meantime he keeps working as a gardener.
It is precisely while he carries out his profession that in 2011, in short, following the fall of a branch, completely loses sight: iThe world goes out for Oney Tapia, and his life changes completely. One day he told about this terrible story: “At first I laughed when they explained to me how many things the blind can do, it didn’t seem possible to me, aalso because that had been a world totally foreign to me up until that moment. But I found out it was true. “
ONEY TAPIA: FROM BLINDNESS TO TOKYO 2020 TRIUMPHS AND IN THE MIDDLE EVEN DANCE
And really after the diagnosis of life’s permanent blindness Oney Tapia changes completely: at 35 he changes sport, he abandons the baseball he loved so much to devote himself to goalball and torball, but it is in athletics that it finds its way. In 2013 it becomes national record holder in discus throwing in the F11 category and from here begins a journey towards the highest triumphs in the disc and weight specialties. In his huge palmares comes silver in Rio 2016 in the disc, the golds in the two categories at the Europeans in Berlin two years later where he also marks the new record of 46.07m in the disc: then the silver at the Dubai World Championships a year later and only a few weeks ago at the Tokyo Olympics double bronze in weight (13.60m) and the disc (39.52m).
A historic achievement that rewards a life of sacrifice and effort Oney Tapia: which in the meantime has made itself known and loved even more by the general public, even those less accustomed to Paralympic sport. We also remember for him in 2017 the participation elto victory at the talent show Dancing with the Stars (paired with Veera Kinnunen). Truly a second life full of joy and success for Oney Tapia since he lost his sight: and which leads him to be a natural charismatic point of reference also for many young people. He himself has often stated that he “has no regrets” and “does not want to trade with someone he sees” because this “experience enriches him more and more”. But not only that, just a few weeks ago to the microphones of Rai, celebrating the bronze won in weight (39th Italian medal at the Tokyo 2020 PAalympics), Tapia said: “Everything in life is possible, just put passion and love into things. This result is for the Paralympic world which must grow more and more thanks to the synergy between athletes and federation. Come out guys, see what awaits you. What song can I celebrate with: “One in a thousand makes it!”.
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