Record-breaking Paralympic athlete disqualified and STRIPPED of gold medal over incorrect equipment

World record-breaking Paralympic thrower Rose Kozakowska was sensatioanlly stripped of her gold and disqualified from the 2024 Paralympic Games on Friday.

Kozakowska, a Tokyo 2020 gold and silver medallist looked to have sensationally broke her own world record and claimed gold in the F32 classification event.

The 35-year-old athlete shattered her own world record of 28.77 metres – which she set earlier this year in June – with a throw of 31.30m in her first attempt. 

But ecstasy soon turned to agony for the Pole, after a protest filed by the Brazilian team – which alleged she was using ‘the wrong size of pillow’ that supports her head in her chair – lead to her disqualification.

In fact, the whole experience had been one of agony for Kozakowska, after she reportedly dislocated her shoulder several times during the event, leaving her ‘in excruciating pain’.

She was also stripped of her second Paralympic gold – and the defence of her Olympic championship, which she first claimed in Tokyo in 2021. 

The Polish athlete’s disqualification meant Tunisia’s Maroua Ibrahmi last-attempt throw of 29.00m effort earned gold – and beat Kozakowska’s existing world-record by 0.23cm.

It was Maroua’s second gold in the event since Rio 2016. Silver in the women’s F32 final went to Iran’s Parastoo Habibi, with bronze going to Brazil’s Giovanna Boscolo Castilho Goncalv – the team who instigated the complaint against the Polish team.

The Polish Paralympic Committee appealed the decision, but the protest was upheld by event organisers.

Representatives from the Polish committee released a statement on Saturday, detailing the timeline of events: ‘On Friday before midnight, a protest was filed by one of the teams, questioning the size of the pillow under our representative’s head. 

‘The protest was upheld, and as a result, Róża was disqualified. The Polish team immediately appealed this decision.

‘The appeal committee meeting took place this morning, unfortunately its decision was unfavourable for us. 

The Tokyo 2020 Champion in the club throw was alleged to have used ‘improper equipment’

‘We take this ruling into account, such are the laws of sport and its rigorous procedures, we have to reckon with them. 

‘After the games, when understandable emotions have subsided, a transparent, thorough procedure will be initiated, which will aim to clarify the situation.

‘We keep our fingers crossed for all our Paralympians and wish them success.’