Canada's Jesse Zesseu captures discus silver in Paralympic debut

Canada's Jesse Zesseu won silver in his Paralympic debut on Friday in the men's discus F37 final at the Paris Games.

The 25-year-old earned Canada's 21st medal and seventh silver in Paris after beating the reigning Paralympic champion for second place.

Zesseu, from Toronto, finished behind Uzbekistan's Tolibboy Yuldashev after launching his sixth and final throw 53.24 metres.

Zesseu's third throw of 52.81m was ultimately enough to secure the silver medal, as Pakistan's Ali Haider fell 0.7 metres short of the mark on his last chance to defend his title.

"Everything in the last three years since I started Para sport was to do this. I have no words, it's just incredible," Zesseu said.

WATCH | Toronto's Zesseu secures discus silver:

Yuldashev, who also won shot put bronze in Paris, closed out Friday's final with a personal-best throw of 57.28m, but he had already assured himself the gold medal on his penultimate attempt (56.03m).

Zesseu was born with cerebral palsy after suffering a stroke at birth.

Zesseu came to Para sport as an adult. He says he was working for Cerebral Palsy Ontario when he was told he should investigate his eligibility to pursue Paralympic sport.

"It's just the beginning," Zesseu said. "These are my first Paralympic Games. I didn't know what Para sport was three years ago. I am 25, I am young, I know I have a long way to go, especially in throwing.

"Other guys are 20 years older and are still going. I am excited about the future. Right now I am living the present and enjoy this."

WATCH | Zesseu reflects on 1st career Paralympic medal:

The medal means Canada has now matched its medal total from the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021.

Zesseu says his first reaction after reaching the podium was a sense relief, as he struggled in his world-championship debut last summer in the French capital.