Assunta Legnante

Assunta Legnante is an Italian professional shot putter and discus thrower, born on March 14, 1978, in Naples, Italy. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest Paralympic athletes of all time. Legnante began her career in able-bodied competitions before transitioning to Paralympic sports due to progressive visual impairment. She has won multiple titles, including two Paralympic gold medals and numerous World and European Championships.

Legnante is known for her incredible strength, technique, and resilience. She has won numerous individual awards and holds multiple records, such as the world record in the F11 category for shot put.

Off the field, Legnante is also recognized for her advocacy for people with disabilities, inspiring millions worldwide.

Early Career

• Legnante was born and raised in Naples and began her athletic career in shot put and discus throw as an able-bodied athlete, achieving considerable success at the national level.

Transition to Paralympic Sports

• Progressive visual impairment led Legnante to transition to Paralympic sports in 2012. Despite the challenges, she achieved great success, setting a world record in her category at her first Paralympic Games.

Continued Success

• Legnante has continued to dominate in her category, winning multiple World and European championships, and securing her second Paralympic gold medal in Tokyo 2020.

Italy National Team

• Debut: Made her debut for Italy in 1997 as an able-bodied athlete, and in 2012 as a Paralympic athlete.

Achievements:

• Paralympic Games: Gold medalist in 2012 and 2020.
• World Championships: Multiple gold medals.
• European Championships: Multiple gold medals.
• Legnante holds the F11 shot put world record.

• Events: Primarily competes in shot put, but also excels in discus throw.
• Skills: Known for her great strength, excellent technique, and resilience. Legnante is celebrated for her ability to overcome adversity and continue to compete at the highest level despite her visual impairment.

• Family: Legnante is very private about her personal life. However, she often expresses gratitude for the support of her family throughout her career.
• Advocacy: Legnante is a strong advocate for people with disabilities, often speaking out about the challenges and discrimination they face.

• Assunta Legnante is celebrated not only for her extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for her resilience, determination, and advocacy for people with disabilities. Her impact on the sport and her status as an icon extend beyond the field, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

World Record in F11 Shot Put:

• Over 16 meters

Gold Medals in Paralympic Games:

• London 2012 and Tokyo 2020

Gold Medals in World Championships:

• Multiple gold medals in various years

Gold Medals in European Championships:

• Multiple gold medals in various years

Books

• Legnante, A. (2014) Assunta Legnante: The Courage to be a Champion. Rome: Ultra Edizioni.

Websites

• IPC: Information about Assunta Legnante’s international career and achievements. Available at: https://www.paralympic.org
• Italian Paralympic Committee: Details about Legnante’s career at Italian Paralympic Committee. Available at: https://www.comitatoparalimpico.it

Articles

• La Repubblica: Assunta Legnante: Career in numbers. Available at: https://www.repubblica.it
• The Guardian: Assunta Legnante’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com

Interviews and Documentaries

• RAI Sport: Various interviews and features on Assunta Legnante, covering different aspects of her career. Available at: https://www.raisport.rai.it