Paraguayan athlete Marko Gabriel Kaethler made history at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, as he secured the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal. With an outstanding performance in the men’s javelin throw, the 17-year-old recorded a winning distance of 73.49 metres in Dakar, Senegal. This marked a significant milestone for Paraguayan athletics and places his name among the country’s most promising young sporting talents.
Competing at the Iba Mar Diop Complex on 10 November 2026, Kaethler delivered his decisive throw on his sixth and final attempt. His result placed him ahead of Colombia’s Dilan Andrés Graciano, who took silver with 71.72 metres. While Moldova’s Vladimir Culis completed the podium with 67.43 metres.
A historic achievement for Paraguay
Beyond the individual victory, Kaethler’s gold medal represents an important moment in Paraguayan sporting history. He became the first Paraguayan athlete to win a medal at the Youth Olympic Games and the first to claim an Olympic gold medal for the country.
Although Paraguay already holds an Olympic silver medal from the men’s football tournament at Athens 2004, a gold medal remains an unprecedented achievement for the national delegation. Furthermore, Kaethler’s performance demonstrates the potential of Paraguay’s younger sporting generation, particularly in athletics, where the country continues to develop talent capable of competing internationally.
Who is Marko Gabriel Kaethler?
Born in Loma Plata, in Paraguay’s Boquerón department, Marko Gabriel Kaethler is an athlete specialising in javelin throwing. Originally from the Paraguayan Chaco, he has developed his sporting career through national competitions and international youth championships. His progress has established him as one of Paraguay’s emerging talents in athletics.
Before his Olympic victory, Kaethler had already achieved several important results. In July 2025, he finished fifth at the Ibero-American Under-18 Athletics Championships in Asunción, recording a throw of 63.95 metres. He continued improving throughout 2026, winning national competitions and breaking his own Under-18 javelin record.
Earlier in 2026, he also represented Paraguay at the South American Youth Games in Panama, finishing third with 63.35 metres. In the same competition, Paraguay’s Under-16 Football Team won the gold medal in men’s football. In July 2026, Kaethler established a national Under-18 record of 65.95 metres. He improved that mark to 69.10 metres on 10 October, winning the Torneo Abierto 17 in Asunción.
His achievements earned Kaethler a place in Paraguay’s delegation for Dakar 2026, where he was the country’s only athletics representative.
A tradition of javelin throwing
Kaethler’s achievement also connects with a longer tradition of Paraguayan athletes in javelin throwing. Among them is Víctor Fatecha, who earned international recognition as a young javelin thrower. He won bronze at the 2005 World Youth Championships in Marrakesh, Morocco, establishing an important reference for Paraguayan athletics in the discipline
Earlier in 2026, Paraguayan javelin thrower Lars Anthony Flaming secured the gold medal at the Pan-American Adult Athletics Championship with an impressive throw of 82.10 metres. Flaming’s outstanding performance not only earned him the top spot on the podium, but also guaranteed his direct qualification for the Lima 2027 Pan-American Games.
A new personal best on the international stage
Kaethler’s winning distance of 73.49 metres also represents a new personal best for the young Paraguayan. His previous record stood at 69.10 metres, which means he improved his mark by 4.39 metres during the competition. Moreover, the final result showcases the young athlete’s ability to perform under pressure, as he reached his winning distance on his last attempt.
His performance places him at the top of the podium and gives Paraguay a historic result at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
