Today's Edition
DUBAI (ALETIHAD)
Hosts UAE finished fourth at the 16th Fazza Para Athletics Grand Prix – Dubai 2025 after missing the overall podium by a narrow margin on the grounds of the Dubai Club for People of Determination.
Emirati para discus thrower Abdulla Mesbahi claimed the eighth gold on the final day’s proceedings and the UAE took their final tally to 21 medals to finish in fourth position. Mesbahi’s throw of 24.75 metres in the men’s discus F51/52/54 final was enough to bag the gold, but a narrow loss for Mohammad Othman in the men’s 800m wheelchair T34 race event meant UAE couldn’t gather on more yellow medal.
Meanwhile, a final push by India saw them top the tournament with Saudi Arabia and Kenya in that order on the podium. The season-opener Grand Prix was conducted under the patronage of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Chairman of the National Olympic Committee.
Besides Mesbahi, the UAE’s hopes lay on Othman, who had already won a gold in the 100m T34 event. But his Tunisian friend off the track, the five-time paralympic champion Walid Ktila rose to the occasion for the first time in the tournament, finishing two seconds ahead of Othman who had to settle for the bronze with a time of 1:42.33 seconds.
Earlier, the UAE had several winners including Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games bronze medallist Thekra Al Kaabi (women’s club throw F32), Yahya Al Blooshi (men’s 100m T45/46), Siham Al Rasheedy (women’s discus F52- 57), Sara Al Jneibi, the Rio 2026 Paralympic bronze medallist (women’s shot put F32/33), Abdalla Al mMarzooqi (men’s 100m T71/72) among others.
Event director Majid Al Usaimi thanked the participants for the amazing performances. “The Fazza Championships have grown over the years and several Paralympic champions have emerged from this event. Thank you for making this event become among one of the best championships in the Para sport world. We look forward to your support and participation in the years to come.”
Among the top international names, Swiss legend Marcel Hug signed off with his third gold medal, this time winning the men’s 5000m wheelchair T54 event in 10:02.89 seconds, adding to his victories in 800m and 1500m wheelchair T54 races.
China’s multiple-time Paralympic and world champion Lijuan Zou clinched her second gold medal in the competition winning the women’s shot put F34 with an effort of 8.09m.
