In a momentous achievement for Cuban Para sports, Yunier Fernandez etched his name into history at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games by winning Cuba’s first-ever Paralympic medal in table tennis—and it wasn’t just any medal, it was gold. Fernandez defeated Great Britain’s Robert Davies 3-0 in the Class 1 men’s singles final, delivering a flawless performance that stunned the table tennis world.
“I am very happy because this is the first gold medal for Cuba. I have been training for that for a long time. This medal is a little late in coming, but the important thing is that I have won it now.”
For Fernandez, this gold medal was the culmination of years of perseverance and hard work. Competing in his third Paralympic Games, he had previously finished 5th in both the Beijing 2008 and Tokyo 2020 Games, always on the cusp of success but never quite reaching the podium. Paris, however, was his breakthrough, and his performance was nothing short of spectacular.
Facing off against Davies, a former Paralympic champion who won gold at the Rio 2016 Games, Fernandez knew he had to be at his very best. Davies, a seasoned veteran of the sport, had a wealth of experience and success under his belt, but Fernandez rose to the occasion. With relentless energy and sharp precision, the Cuban star took control of the match early on, winning in straight sets and sealing a 3-0 victory that sent shockwaves through the arena.
However, the road to gold was far from smooth for Fernandez. His journey began in the Round of 16, where he faced Egypt’s Eslam Raslan. Fernandez secured a hard-fought win to advance to the quarterfinals, where an even bigger challenge awaited him: Great Britain’s Thomas Matthews, the bronze medalist from Tokyo 2020. In a tense and closely contested match, Fernandez displayed remarkable composure and skill to overcome Matthews 3-1, marking a significant moment in his tournament campaign. The semifinal was no less dramatic. Up against Italy’s Federico Falco, Fernandez faced one of his toughest battles of the tournament. The match was a nail-biter, with Fernandez narrowly edging out Falco in a 3-2 victory that pushed him into the finals.
Key to Fernandez’s success was his coach, who can be described as one of the most animated and energetic figures in the arena. His enthusiasm and encouragement played a pivotal role in lifting Fernandez’s spirits and driving him to victory, with their bond on full display throughout the competition.
With Fernandez’s gold, Cuba made a mark on the Paralympic table tennis world in spectacular fashion. His win signifies not only a personal triumph but a historic moment for Cuba, a country that had never before won a medal in Paralympic table tennis. His journey of perseverance, skill, and determination will be remembered as one of the defining stories of the Paris 2024 Games.
“I would like to dedicate this medal and all my emotions to my neighbourhood and province who have all supported me so well. This is for them.”
As the competition continues with 11 gold medals still to be awarded, Fernandez’s historic win has set the stage for the closing days of the Paralympic table tennis events, ensuring that his name will be forever linked to Cuban sports history.
