Musa Taimazov earned another Para athletics gold for the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in the men’s F51 club throw, breaking the world record in the process.

On his first attempt, Taimazov threw 35.42 metres, beating Željko Dimitrijević’s previous world record of 34.71m.

Dimitrijević finished second at Tokyo 2020, and bettered his record on his third and fourth attempts with throws of 34.95m and 35.21m, but neither were enough to beat Taimazov.

Taimazov threw 34.40m, 34.47m and 34.75m on his other valid attempts.

The 37-year-old RPC Para athlete had previously secured a bronze medal in the men’s F51 club throw at the World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates in 2019.

He finished fourth in the European Para Athletics Championships in Bydgoszcz in Poland this June.

Musa Taimazov broke the world record in the men's F51 club throw with a distance of 35.42m ©Getty Images
Musa Taimazov broke the world record in the men's F51 club throw with a distance of 35.42m ©Getty Images

Taimazov acquired spinal cord injuries aged 20 in 2004 after diving into a lake.

He has previously played wheelchair rugby, representing Russia from 2012 to 2017 and winning the national championships three times.

The new Paralympic champion began Para athletics in Makhachkala in 2018.

He was born in the Kyakhulay district of Makhachkala.

Last year, Taimazov was awarded the Master of Sport of International Class in the Russian Federation title.

His success was the Russian Paralympic Committee’s 11th gold medal in Para athletics at Tokyo 2020 and its 32nd of the Games overall, moving it up to second in the medal table.