Francisca Mardones

Started: She began playing wheelchair tennis at age 28. In 2017 she switched to Para athletics. (emol.com, 17 Nov 2019; biobiochile.cl, 26 Jun 2017; emol.com, 15 Apr 2012) Reason: She has always enjoyed sport, playing basketball and volleyball before she sustained her impairment after falling into a ravine when Hurricane Lenny hit Culebra Island in Puerto Rico in 2000. She was encouraged to take up wheelchair tennis during her rehabilitation, and switched to Para athletics after a domestic accident prevented her from playing tennis any longer. (emol.com, 17 Nov 2019; biobiochile.cl, 26 Jun 2017) Milestones: She became the first female Chilean to win gold at the Paralympic Games when she triumphed in the women's F54 shot put at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (SportsDeskOnline, 01 Jul 2024) Awards: She received the 2021 National Sports Award from the Ministry of Sport in Chile. (gob.cl, 29 Jun 2022) In 2019 she was named Para Athlete of the Year and Para Sportsperson of the Year by the Chilean Sports Journalists' Circle. (latercera.com, 09 Mar 2020; t13.cl, 20 Dec 2019) In 2019 she was named an Outstanding Citizen of Vitacura in Chile in recognition of her achievements as an athlete and her contribution to Paralympic sport in Chile. (Instagram profile, 15 Jun 2019; Facebook page, 15 Jun 2019) In 2016 she received the Inspiration Award from the Capital Area Tennis Association [CATA] in Austin, TX, United States of America. (magallanesdeportes.cl, 12 Dec 2016) Additional Info: SPORT SWITCH She represented Chile in wheelchair tennis at the Paralympic Games in 2012 and 2016. She switched to Para athletics in 2017 after a domestic accident aggravated a nerve problem. "When doing discus throw, I use a similar technique as that of my forehand, which helps with the acceleration as well." (t13.cl, 20 Dec 2019; paralympic.org, 25 May 2018) TRIBUTE TO FATHER Her father died six days before she won gold with a world record throw in the F54 shot put at the 2019 World Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She dedicated the victory to him after deciding to compete in the event. "I feel overwhelmed by emotions. I stayed here in order to compete as a tribute to him. It is so hard for me to express how I feel now after winning gold and setting the record. I'm so sad, but at the same time I'm satisfied to have given him such a tribute. I know that he would have told me to keep on competing." (emol.com, 14 Nov 2019) OTHER ACTIVITIES She has worked as a motivational speaker and also served as director of Ronda Chile, a non-profit organisation that supports people with an impairment integrate into society. (rondachile.cl, 30 May 2018; franciscamardones.com, 01 Jan 2012) FURTHER EDUCATION She has studied for a master's degree in sports management at the Andres Bello National University in Santiago, Chile. (adnradio.cl, 13 May 2023; noticias.unab.cl, 19 Dec 2022)