Colombian athlete who had his teeth modified to resemble FANGS wins shot put gold in Paris… as he insists that ‘Paralympic sport’ has to be a show

A paralympic athlete who had his canine teeth modified to resemble fangs has won gold in Paris.

Mauricio Valencia of Colombia was jubilant after managing to secure glory in the men’s shot put F34 final.

The 36-year-old previously stated that he changed his teeth because paralympic sport ‘has to be a show’.

He said: ‘I didn’t want to have the same smile as the rest of the world. I’ve always said that Paralympic sport has to be a show. 

‘That means being outside of the stereotype of sitting in a wheelchair. It’s a matter of attitude in life, and while I am competing.’ 

Mauricio Valencia of Colombia secured victory in the men’s shot put F34 final in Paris

Valencia previously stated he changed his teeth because paralympic sport ‘has to be a show’

Valencia told Paranacionales: ‘I didn’t want to have the same smile as the rest of the world. I’ve always said that Paralympic sport has to be a show. That means being outside of the stereotype of sitting in a wheelchair. It’s a matter of attitude in life, and while I am competing.’

Valencia has an extensive medal haul, having also won gold in the javelin throw F34 in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. This summer he also won silver in the javelin throw, which he also achieved at the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.

In addition, he won bronze in the shot put in 2016. Furthermore, Valencia has won a host of medals at world championships, including gold in the javelin throw in London in 2017 and Dubai in 2019.