Poleth Isamar Mendes Sanchez

Started: She took up athletics at age 12. (Athlete, 14 Nov 2019; eltelegrafo.com.ec, 07 Sep 2016) Reason: Coach Pablo Delgado visited her town to search for children who wanted to take up athletics, and she registered to try the sport. (polehtmendez.wordpress.com, 15 May 2018) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (primicias.ec, 13 Sep 2021) Milestones: She and her sister Anais became the first Para athletes representing Ecuador to win a medal at the Paralympic Games when they both claimed a place on the podium in the F20 shot put at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. Poleth claimed gold, while Anais took bronze. (gk.city, 17 Oct 2022; SportsDeskOnline, 14 Nov 2023; deporte.gob.ec, 29 Aug 2023) Awards: In recognition of her and her sister finishing on the podium in the F20 shot put at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, August 29th was named National Day of Paralympic Sport in Ecuador. (gk.city, 17 Oct 2022; SportsDeskOnline, 14 Nov 2023; deporte.gob.ec, 29 Aug 2023) She was flag bearer for Ecuador at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. (myinfo.rio2016.com, 06 Sep 2016) Additional Info: SISTERS SHARING THE PODIUM She and her sister Anais both finished on the podium in the women's F20 shot put at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, with Poleth winning gold and Anais claiming bronze. The medals were Ecuador's first in any sport at the Paralympic Games. "I was very happy and excited. It's something I can't explain, such a great joy," Poleth said. (SportsDeskOnline, 13 Aug 2024; primicias.ec, 16 Nov 2023)

Sporting Relatives: Her younger sister Anais has represented Ecuador in Para athletics, and won bronze in the F20 shot put at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Her cousin Damian Carcelen has also competed in Para athletics. He represented Ecuador in the T20 400m and T20 long jump at the 2016 and 2020 Paralympic Games. (SportsDeskOnline, 14 Nov 2023; elnorte.ec, 27 Aug 2019; primicias.ec, 13 Sep 2021)