Christopher Melenciano makes history: Double world record for Dominican athletics
Dominican sprinter Christopher Melenciano has left an indelible mark on the 23rd Japanese Deaf Athletics Championships, solidifying his position as the fastest man in the world in his category. With a masterful performance at the Heiwado HATO Stadium, the national athlete not only took home the gold but also shattered historical records in the sprint events.
In the 200-meter competition, Melenciano stopped the clock at 20.43 seconds, widely surpassing the 20.60-second mark held by Britain’s Eric Gregory since May 2022. This new world record reaffirms the Dominican’s absolute dominance on international tracks.
A historic double in Japan
Melenciano’s feat reached extraordinary dimensions by securing a double world record in just 48 hours. A day before his victory in the 200 meters, the sprinter had already made history in the 100-meter dash, recording a time of 10.17 seconds.
With this record, the Dominican left behind the 10.21-second mark that American Wendell Gaskin Jr. held for nearly three decades, since 1996. These results now position him as the undisputed owner of the world records in the two most important sprint events in deaf athletics.
Christopher Melenciano has become the world record holder in the 100 and 200 meters, consolidating a legacy of excellence and constant improvement for sports in the Dominican Republic.
Alofoke DeportesRising trajectory
Melenciano’s success in Japan is the result of constant preparation and high-level competitive experience. The athlete comes from proudly representing the country at the recent Santo Domingo 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games, where he was part of the 4×400-meter mixed relay team alongside prominent figures such as Marileidy Paulino, Anabel Medina, and Erick Sánchez.
This series of achievements on Japanese soil marks a turning point in Melenciano’s career, who continues to raise the standard of Dominican athletics before the world.
