Latest news with #16thFazzaParaAthleticsGrandPrix–Dubai2025
Khaleej Times
14-02-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: UAE wins 21 medals in Fazza Para Athletics Grand Prix
Para discus thrower Abdulla Mesbahi claimed the eighth gold for the host UAE as they finished the 16th Fazza Para Athletics Grand Prix – Dubai 2025 with 21 medals at the Dubai Club for People of Determination grounds. Mesbahi finished on top in the men's discus F51/52/54 final with a throw of 24,75 metres as the hosts finished in fourth place in the medal standings. Overall, India, Saudi Arabia and Kenya claimed the top three positions in the table with nine gold medals each. Other UAE medallist on the final day was the promising Mohamad Othman who took his third medal, a bronze in men's 800m wheelchair T34 race clocking 1:42.33 seconds. Othman already has a gold from the event when he claimed the men's 100m T34 races. Tunisian five-time Paralympic champion Walid Ktila finally won his first medal at the competition, a gold finishing the race in two seconds ahead of his UAE friend, in the men's 800m T34 finals. Earlier, the host UAE had several winners including Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games bronze medallist Thekra Alkaabi (women's club throw F32), Yahya Alblooshi (men's 100 m T45/46), Siham Alrasheedy (women's discus F52- 57), Sara Aljneibi, the Rio 2026 Paralympic bronze medallist (women's shot put F32/33), Abdalla Almarzooqi (men's 100 m 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. We are happy to provide a great platform to these amazing athletes many of whom started their Paralympic journey here. 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.' Hug claims third gold in Dubai Among the top names, Swiss legend Marcel Hug signed off the Dubai 2025 Grand Prix with his third gold medal, this time winning the men's 5000m wheelchair T54 race in 10:02.89 seconds. Earlier, Hug claimed the top places in men's 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 8.09 metres. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the season-opening Grand Prix was competed by around 400 para-athletes from 52 nations between February 10 to 13, 2025. The event was also the season opener in the Grand Prix calendar of the World Para Athletics, the world body for the sport.
Khaleej Times
10-02-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Othman grabs UAE's first gold at Fazza Para Athletics event
The UAE got a new star in wheelchair racing when Mohamad Othman raced to the gold medal of men's 100m T34 final on the opening day of the 16th Fazza Para Athletics Grand Prix – Dubai 2025 on Monday. Othman, the 21-year-old Dubai Club for People of Determination trainee, continued his winning momentum from the Sharjah International Championships to win his second international gold medal with a timing of 15.61 seconds. The Emirati finished ahead of Australia's multiple Paralympic medallist Rheed McCracken (15.73) and Mauritius' Roberto Michel (15.78) in the race. The Paris 2024 Paralympian had a mixed feeling on his result. His personal best came at Nottwil 2024 Grand Prix last year when he clinched the bronze with 14.95 seconds and the promising star was chasing closer or better than that. 'I'm happy to get a gold here, this was my second after Sharjah event. But I expected a better timing. I will train harder,' said Othman, who also won the gold in men's 100m T34 final at the 13th Sharjah International Open Para Athletics Meeting 2025 last week. The youngster shared that his foreign training in Tunisia, before and after Paris 2024 alongside wheelchair racing's seasoned star Walid Ktila is working well for him. 'The last few months has been all about training and training. We have worked on various aspects of the game including the starts, adapting to the new wheelchair,' said Othman, who will also be competing in 400m and 800m races in the coming days. The hosts had other reasons to celebrate the day as Ali Almheiri (5.91) and Eisa Almazrouei (5.71) claimed the silver and the bronze in men's wheelchair shotput final F32 event. In men's shot put final F35/36, UAE's Mohammed Al Kaabi claimed the bronze finishing behind Kazakhstan athletes with an effort of 11.46s. Among the top stars, Switzerland's seven-time Paralympic champion Marcel Hug opened his account in Dubai with the gold in men's 1500m T54 races. He finished the race in 3:00.57 seconds. Saudi Arabia's Abdulrahman Al Qureshi was also in action this evening and the result was as expected. The Paris 2024 Paralympic champion finished the men's 100m wheelchair T53 final in 15.44 seconds. The event is also the season opener in the Grand Prix calendar of the World Para Athletics, the world body for the sport.
Emirates 24/7
10-02-2025
- Sport
- Emirates 24/7
UAE rely on promising youngsters as Fazza Para Athletics GP kicks off
The 16th Fazza Para Athletics Grand Prix – Dubai 2025 is set to get underway this evening with a galaxy of stars including Paralympic and world champions to be in action even as the hosts UAE look to make a mark with a young team. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the season-opening Grand Prix will witness around 400 para-athletes from 52 nations descending on the recently- renovated Dubai Club for People of Determination grounds over four days. Hosts UAE will have biggest team of 64 athletes including several newcomers making their international debut. While their usual Paralympic star Mohammed Hammadi will be missed after he retired from the sport since Paris 2024 Paralympics, the focus will be on youngsters this time. Promising Mohammed Othman will be carrying the hopes of a medal winning show at his home ground. 'Paris 2024 was a satisfying – it was a big confident booster. My target here is to test my wheelchair and get a good timing,' said the 21-year-old, who finished fifth in men's 100m T34 wheelchair final at Paris 2024. Among other top names in the UAE team are – Kobe 2024 world champion in women's shot put F40 Maryam Al Zeyoudi; Sara Aljneibi, Rio 2016 bronze medallist in women's shot put F33 and home-grown player Siham Alrasheedy (women's discus throw F57) among others. "The Fazza Championships have remained the focus of development in the Para sports in all levels and have had positive impact for Dubai to continue its great journey in organising various international championships,' said Majid Al-Usaimi, Director of the Fazza International Championships. Hug, Xiaoyan among top int'l names Seven-time Paralympic gold medallist Marcel Hug (T54) and China's Wen Xiaoyan (women's 100m T37) – who won four out of her nine Paralympic gold medals in Paris last year – are among the biggest names on the field. 'Dubai is like coming home – every year is like a routine coming and racing here in the sun, great atmosphere. I am looking for some good races as well,' said the Swiss star who set two world records in the same venue – in men's 1500m T54 and 5000m T54. Greece's Athanasios Ghavelas, the Paralympic champion and world record holder in men's 100m T11, and Canada's Cody Fournier, the Paris 2024 champion in men's 100 m T51 and 200 m T51, are among the other international stars in action. Reigning Paralympic champions Abdul Rahman Al-Qureshi from Saudi Arabia (men's 100m T53) and Kuwait's Faisal Sorour (men's shot put F42) will be ones to watch out for from GCC countries. Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
Khaleej Times
28-01-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Paralympic stars to vie for glory at Fazza Para Athletics Grand Prix
Top para-athletes including Paralympic and world champions will gather in Dubai to showcase an extraordinary show of grit and excellence when the 16th Fazza Para Athletics Grand Prix – Dubai 2025 runs from 10-13 February. The season opener of the 2025 edition of the Fazza International Championships for People of Determination will witness participation from around 400 para-athletes from 52 countries, it was announced at a press conference to launch the event here on Tuesday. The championships will also be the season opener for the Grand Prix calendar of the World Para Athletics, the world body for the sport. Some of the top international names include Switzerland's wheelchair racing legend Marcel Hug, Belgium's two-time gold medallist in Paris 2024 Maxime Carabin, China's nine-time Paralympic champion Wen Xiaoyan, who has four gold medals from Paris 2024 and Wu Qing, also a multiple-time Paralympic gold medallist from China. The hosts UAE will be represented by 60 para -athletes including Paralympic stars and several newcomers aiming to get their international classification at the four-day event. Majid Al-Usaimi, Director of the Organising Committee of the Fazza International Championships for People of Determination, thanked Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his great interest and support for People of Determination. He also acknowledged the Dubai Sports Council and 25 partners and sponsors' continuous support to achieve the club's desired goal. 'Reaching the number one position requires an integrated vision from the wise leadership to achieve national aspirations and sustainable future trends for creating champions and raising the flag of the country in international events,' Al-Usaimi said. 'The Fazza Championships have remained the focus of development in the Para sports in all levels and have had positive impact for Dubai to continue its great journey in organising various international championships." The Director of Championships also confirmed that they organisers have completed all their preparations for the event and they are confident of delivering a fantastic championship. Among others present on the occasion were Saeed Hareb, Secretary General of the Dubai Sports Council, and Emirati para-athlete Rawda Abdullah who will be competing in her second Fazza Para Athletics Grand Prix in two weeks' time.
