Francisca Mardones named Americas ‘Athlete of the Month’

Francisca Mardones has been chosen as Americas ‘Athlete of the Month’ for June after receiving 46 per cent of the public vote.

The Chilean field athlete broke her own Americas record* with a 6.93m throw in the women’s shot put F54 at the Berlin Grand Prix.

Mexican Diego Lopez finished second in the poll with 34 per cent of the votes. The swimmer set a world record of 1:32.83 in the men’s 100m backstroke S3 and took a total of two golds, one silver and one bronze at the Berlin World Series.

Costa Rican runner Sherman Guity, who recently met the country’s President Carlos Alvarado in recognition of his great performance at the Arizona Grand Prix, ended third with 17 per cent of the votes.

Track athlete Daniel Romanchuk of USA, wheelchair tennis player Gustavo Fernandez of Argentina, track athlete Petrucio Ferreira of Brazil, blind footballer Ricardinho of Brazil and track athlete Sean Gerena of Puerto Rico were also nominated.

The nominations were compiled from submissions by National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) from across the continent.

The 2018 Americas Athlete of the Month winners are:

• January – Fernando Fuentes, El Salvador, swimming

• February – Brenna Huckaby, USA, snowboard

• March – Cristian Ribera, Brazil, Nordic skiing

• April – Daniela Gimenez, Argentina, swimming

• May – Juan Carlos Garrido, Chile, powerlifting

• June – Francisca Mardones, Chile, athletics

*Subject to ratification by World Para Athletics