Shuttler Bedwawi to lead UAE charge at 6th Fazza Dubai Para Badminton event
After making history for the nation, Emirati Para shuttler Jamal Khalifa Al Bedwawi is set to lead a new-look UAE team at the 6th Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International 2025.
Bedwawi clinched UAE's first ever international medal in Para Badminton with a bronze medal at the Czech Para Badminton International 2025 last month.
A trainee at the Dubai Club for People of Determination, Bedwawi is hoping to continue the same momentum at home where he will be competing in all three events – men's singles WH1, men's doubles WH1-WH2 and mixed doubles WH1-WH2.
The 26-year-old will be joined by his Dubai Club training partners Siham Alrasheedy (women's singles WH2) and event debutant Omair Mohammed (men's singles WH1) – both of whom will be pairing up with Bedwawi for the mixed doubles and men's doubles event.
The UAE team will also have a representative in men's SU5 category with Sinan Asif set to compete in three events.
Bedwawi, who sustained a spinal cord injury and damaged nerve following an accident in 2012, understands all eyes will be on him at home this week, and he is ready to take the responsibility to win a medal for the nation.
'I'm more confident now – I feel I am responsible to win a gold medal for the nation,' said Al Bedwawi, who is playing the sport for last three years and has also participated at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games.
For the Emirati player badminton means gives 'freedom, power to achieve his long-cherished goals'.
'My personal goals will be to improve my world ranking and more medal winning show,' added the ever-smiling player, who is also a key member at the UAE national wheelchair basketball team.
The UAE team has been coached by Aditya Singh for the last two years with long-term goals set on the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics.
'The team is gelling well and making rapid improvements. Playing more international events will help the players grow mentally and physically. We are keenly looking forward to the Fazza Championships,' said Singh.
A thrilling action is expected over the next few days as 150 shuttlers from 30 nations will be in action at the championships that runs until May 11.
Top Para shuttlers in the world including Paralympic and Asian Para Games stars have arrived for the championships and trained at the official venue.
Malaysia's Paris 2024 Games champion Cheah Liek Hou (SU5) will lead the star-studded field which will also include Paralympic and Asian Para Games medallists from South Korea, India and Hong Kong among others.
South Korea will be spearheaded by seasoned wheelchair shuttlers and Paris 2024 silver medallist Choi Jungman (men's WH1) and Kim Jungjun (men's WH2), a bronze medallist in Paris. Meanwhile, India will bank on their Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion Krishna Nagar (men's SH6) and Asian Para Games medallist Sukant Kadam (men's SL4), Mandeep Kaur (women's SL3) among others in the largest contingent of 28 members.
For Hong Kong, Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games gold medallist Chu Man Kai returns to the UAE Emirate Dubai for the sixth time.
Ahead of the competition, the championships also witnessed 30 new shuttlers getting their classification.
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