Tanto Campbell of Jamaica competing in the men's discus for Class F55/56 during the Paralympic Games at the National Stadium in Beijing yesterday. Campbell won a bronze medal after he threw 39.31 metres. - AP

TANTO Campbell survived an early scare in the F56 discus to win Jamaica's first medal at the Beijing Paralympic Games yesterday.

Campbell, who had problems throughout the event with the positioning of his chair, bagged bronze with his final throw, a personal best 39.31 metres. His previous best was 39.10m.

Cuba's Leonardo Diaz won the gold with a world record throw of 40.87m, while Mohammad Yari Ali of Iran took silver with 39.39m.

Today, Vinette Green will participate in the women's class F54 discus event. She faces a difficult task as three classes are merged together - F54, F55 and F56.

On Friday, Alphanso Cunning-ham will compete in men's javelin for Classes F53 and F54 combined. This will also be a tough event for the Jamaican as the javelin throw is not his strong event.

He will also compete next Sunday in the discus event.

He is the defending paralympic champion.

Sylvia Grant will be in action on Saturday in the javelin class F57 and F58 combined. The Games close on September 17.