Anthony Minott, Freelance Writer

Jamaica's Para Pan American Games team pose for the camera after arriving at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston yesterday. They are: Sylvia Grant (left), Kevon Reid (second left), team doctor Rory Dixon (standing), Alphanso Cunningham (fourth left), Chef de Mission Suzzane Harrison-Henry (standing), Errol Williams (second right), head coach Tanto Campbell (right), Colleen Morrison (centre) and Vinnette Green (third left). -Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

Jamaica's team to the Paralympic Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, returned to the island yesterday with a record five medals - one gold, two silver and two bronze.

The team of seven athletes and five officials were greeted by loved ones and the media on their arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston.

Two athletes were left in Brazil and will return shortly.

Alphanso Cunningham led the way, copping a gold and a bronze, wonder girl Sylvia Grant also copped two medals - silver and bronze - while Tanto Campbell captured a silver.

Coach of the team Errol Williams thought it was a tremendous performance from his troopers.

"It was a splendid performance, they all did what they were supposed to do and it was a very good team effort," he said.

He pointed out that the five medals earned was good in the context of the competition.

"This is the toughest competition we have ever encountered at a Pan American Games and the team did excellent."

He further stated that it could easily have been seven medals but a points system, forced on by the merging of classes, robbed them of at least two more silver medals.

Vinette Green competing in Class F54, which was merged with F53 and F52, heaved the women's discuss to 13.96 metres, the furthest distance in the competition, but her 827 points placed her fourth.

She was beaten by Estela Salas of Mexico, F53, 12.43m (888 points), Sonia Gouveia from Brazil, F52, 12.03m (860 points), and Robyn Stawski, 12.61m (835 points), all of whom were from lower classes.

Outstanding performances

It also happened to Kevon Reid, his class F55 merged with F53 and F54, in the men's shot putt, and even though he threw 8.99 metres which was a Para Pan American record for his class and the second best throw of the Games, he had to settle for fourth.

He tallied only 794 points, which was below the United States' Scott Wrinkler, F54, who threw a world record 10.23m, (1,030 points), for gold, and silver medallist, Maximo de Jesus Mauro from F53, 8.55m (937 points), a world record for the class and bronze recipient, Figueredo Gonzales of Cuba 8.24m (824 points).

Chef de Mission Suzanne Harris-Henry ushered praises on the team.

"Five medals, that's an excellent performance," she expressed. "We missed out on a couple of medals because of the merging of classes," Harris-Henry reiterated.

She reported that the classes were merged because there wasn't enough competitors for some of the classes.

Meanwhile, gold medallist Cunningham, who threw the discus and javelin implements in Class F53, was pleased with his performance.

"It was really wonderful. I was conformable right through the event, getting a gold and a bronze was just great," said Cunningham.

Grant, who competed in Class F57, shared similar sentiments.

"The experience was great. My coach said that I was to go out there and work hard."

She won a silver in the javelin and bronze in the discus event.

"I wasn't expecting two medals as the competition is very stiff but I'm happy with my medals," a smiling Grant said.

Tanto Campbell, who had his world record broken in Class F56 by Cuba's Diaz Aldana Leonardo, said he wanted his world record back.

He said he will put in the hard work to regain the discus record in Beijing, China, at the Paralympics 2008.