Malda Baumgartė

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Malda Baumgartė (born 7 January 1965) is a Latvian-born Lithuanian retired paralympic athlete who competed at international track and field competitions, she competed in discus throw, javelin throw, shot put and formerly pentathlon. She is a double Paralympic champion and a world champion in her disciplines. She is also a former sitting volleyball player.[1][2]

Malda Baumgartė
Personal information
Born (1965-01-07) 7 January 1965 (age 59)
Ventspils, Latvia
Sport
Country Lithuania
SportParalympic athletics
DisabilityIncomplete spinal cord injury
Disability classF44
Medal record
Paralympic athletics
Representing  Lithuania
Paralympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1996 Atlanta Discus throw F41
Gold medal – first place 1996 Atlanta Shot put F41
Bronze medal – third place 1992 Barcelona Pentathlon PW3-4
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1998 Birmingham Javelin throw F44
Silver medal – second place 1998 Birmingham Discus throw F44/46
Silver medal – second place 2002 Villeneuve d'Ascq Javelin throw F42-46

Stabbing

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On Christmas Eve,[year needed] Baumgartė went to walk home after finishing her work shift late at night. She decided to take a shortcut rather than taking her normal route back to her house, a man jumped out of some bushes nearby and stabbed Baumgartė in her back twice. She was spotted lying on the snow in her blood by a passerby hours later. Doctors managed to reconnect the nerves in her spine and was hoped that she would be able to walk again; she required the use of a wheelchair for three to four months. The man who stabbed Baumgartė was sentenced to eight years in jail. She decided to move to Lithuania and gained Lithuanian citizenship in a short space of time.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Malda Baumgarte - IPC Profile". International Paralympic Committee. 1 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Malda Baumgarte (in Lithuanian)". University of Lithuania. 1 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Malda Baumgarte: from a stab in the back to a Paralympic champion (in Lithuanian)". etaplius. 8 August 2020.