Faces of the Future: Colombia’s Luis Lucumi

At his first Paralympic Games, in Rio, the 18-year-old won silver in the men’s javelin throw F38. 12 Nov 2016

Silver medalist Luis Fernando Lucumi Villegas of Colombia, gold medalist Reinhardt Hamman of South Africa and bronze medalist Javad Harden of Iran pose on the podium at the medal ceremony for men's javelin F38 at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

ⒸGetty Images

By IPC

“My biggest dream is to win a Paralympic gold medal for my country.”

His limited experience on the international stage did not intimidate Colombian track and field athlete Luis Lucumi, who won silver in the men’s javelin throw F38 at his first Paralympic Games last September, in Rio de Janeiro.

The Colombian threw 49.19 to finish behind South Africa’s world champion Reinhardt Hamman (50.96) and ahead of Iran’s Javad Hardani (48.46).

“It was wonderful for me to win the silver medal competing against the best athletes around the globe at the world´s biggest Para sport event,” said Lucumi.

“I have always believed in my abilities and have been working hard towards my goal. I wanted to reach the Paralympic podium in Rio to win a medal, no matter if it was a gold, silver or bronze.”

The 18-year-old also qualified for the final in the 100m T38 at Rio 2016, but did not medal.

Lucumi took up athletics only nine months ago but has shown a rapidly improving form to enjoy a meteoric rise in the sport. Last February, he won gold in both the 200m T38 and javelin throw F38 at the Colombian Para athletics National Open, the first event he took part in.

“I have always been really keen on sports, decided to try athletics and liked it. I especially enjoyed throwing the javelin, which was also the event I was better at so I continued training,” he explained.

“Currently, I train between three or four hours per day, six days per week.”

Lucumi, who was born with cerebral palsy, says his impairment has never been a limitation for his personal development.

“It has never stopped me from doing what I want. It has given me even more strength,” he said.

The Colombian´s next big challenge will be the World Para Athletics Championships, to be held in London, Great Britain, from 14-23 July 2017.

“I know I am young, have just started my career and need to go step by step, but I would really like to improve my personal best and, if possible, to win another medal,” he said.

Further ahead, Lucumi is dreaming of participating in another Paralympic Games, hopefully in Tokyo, Japan, in 2020.

“I can picture myself competing at Tokyo 2020 and am already working hard to live a second Paralympic experience,” he said.

“My biggest dream is to win a Paralympic gold medal for my country.”

Editor’s note: “Faces of the Future” is a series published once a month on Paralympic.org that introduces you to some of the young, rising talent in Para sport.