Latvian shot putter Edgars Bergs has won a silver medal in the Paralympic Games underway in Athens, Greece. Bergs’ first effort of 13.55 meters also is his personal best in the event.

The gold medal in the finals of the Sept. 20 men’s shot put went to Wei Guo of China. The bronze went to Thierry Cibone of France.

Bergs, a Saldus native who recently marked his 20th birthday, is one of seven athletes representing Latvia in the games. The others are Aigars Apinis, Maija Emulova, Sanita Lietniece, Andis Ozolnieks, Ingrīda Priede and Ivita Strode. All are competing in athletics events.

The Paralympic Games, for athletes with disabilities, opened Sept. 17 and run through Sept. 28.

In the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia, the Latvian team won three bronze medals.