Trans runner earns ninth medal with third place finish at women's Para Athletics World Championships

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A transgender runner finished in third place at the World Para Athletics 400-meter race in Paris on Thursday.

The bronze finisher was Valentina Petrillo's ninth medal in women's events.

Petrillo finished the race in 58.24, seconds behind Omara Durand of Cuba (52.82) and Alejandra Perez Lopez of Venezuela (57.88).

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Valentina Petrillo celebrates after the Women's 400m T12 Final during day six of the Para Athletics World Championships Paris 2023 at Stade Charlety on July 13, 2023 in Paris. (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Petrillo, 49, was running in a category for the visually impaired after being diagnosed with Stargardt disease at age 14, resulting in a loss of sight.

The disease stopped the Italian's athletic ambitions until the age of 41, when Petrillo, as a man, returned to sport and would go on to win 11 national titles in men's categories.

In an interview with BBC published in 2021, Petrillo first opened up to family about transitioning in 2017 and eventually underwent hormone therapy in 2019.

"I respect and comply with the IOC and World Athletics rules, I do the tests," Petrillo told the outlet at the time. "I don't feel like I'm stealing anything from anyone."

Petrillo became the first transgender athlete in the international Paralympic Women's Championship back in 2021 and currently holds the Italian records for the 200-meter T12 (27.17) and the indoor 400-meter T13 (59.77), both of which are for visually impaired athletes.

Valentina Petrillo competes in the Women's 400m T12 Final during day six of the Para Athletics World Championships Paris 2023 at Stade Charlety on July