Liiudys Beliser

Liudys Masso Beliser is a paralympic athlete from Cuba competing mainly in category F10–11 throwing events.

Liudys was part of the Cuban team that competed in America in the 1996 Summer Paralympics, There she competed in all three throws winning the gold medal in the discus and the silver in the javelin.

Biography From the age of 12 she developed a passion for athletics, initially practicing long-distance running before moving on to throwing events under the guidance of coach Eduardo Douglas Broock. At 15 she was admitted to a sports training school and took part in school competitions, showing strong potential. However, at the age of 18, due to the worsening of two eye conditions (which, although congenital, had not previously hindered her life), she turned to Paralympic sport. This transition also came about thanks to her meeting the young athlete Omar Turro Moya, who later became her husband and the father of her two children.

Liudis made her international debut at the Atlanta Paralympics in 1996. In the three events she contested, she finished fourth in the shot put, second in the javelin throw, and won the gold medal in the discus throw. This was followed by the 1998 IBSA World Championships, where she won two medals, and the Parapan American Games (first edition, held in Mexico City), where she achieved a triple gold. At the Sydney Paralympics she competed only in the discus throw, again winning the gold medal.

Her athletic career was not particularly long, as she devoted herself to family life. However, she did not leave sport entirely and in recent years has served as a coach for the Cuban Paralympic team at the Dubai World Championships. Deeply connected to her country, she considers it a priority to pass on the values that led her to become a champion.

Achievements Year Competition Venue Event Result Performance Notes 1996 Paralympic Games Atlanta Shot put F10–11 4th 10.78 m Discus throw T10–11 Gold 45.06 m Javelin throw F10–11 Silver 31.92 m 1998 IBSA World Championships Madrid Shot put F11 Silver Discus throw F11 Gold 1999 Parapan American Games Mexico City Shot put F11 Gold Discus throw F11 Gold Javelin throw F11 Gold 2000 Paralympic Games Sydney Discus throw F13 Gold 44.67 m