Latest news with #WorldParaAthleticsGrandPrix
Eyewitness News
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Simoné Kruger brings home two gold medals from Women's Para Athletics Grand Prix in Czech Republic
JOHANNESBURG – Paralympian Simoné Kruger won her second gold medal and set a second African record at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix. She competed in two events – women's discus and women's shot put F37. On Saturday, Kruger won gold, set a new SA and African record in the Discus with a distance of 36.85m while also collecting Raza points of 1054. The Raza point score system is a method in Paralympic athletics field competitions for comparing throws or jumps by athletes of differing levels of disability. READ MORE: Paralympian Simoné Kruger scoops gold, breaks African record at World Para Athletics Grand Prix Paralympian Simoné Kruger starts her year with the Zanele Situ trophy and ASA Award Simoné Kruger and Mpumelelo Mhlongo win big at Regional Annual Sports Awards PARALYMPICS 2024: Simoné Kruger keeps promise and bags discus gold
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Para Athletics: Mother's support, grit carries Bhavani to double gold in Czech Republic Grand Prix
For a long time, para athlete Valasamgari Bhavani had to be content with a silver or a bronze both at the national and international meets. And, so when this 26-year-old completed a golden double winning the 200m first and then the 100 m (in T-46 category) on consecutive days in the very first women only World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Czech Republic on Friday, her joy knew no bounds, understandably too. Fate has been cruel to Bhavani, who was good as a kid in school playing kho kho and kabaddi in her native village of Muthukur in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh when tragedy struck her in 2009, she accidentally touched an electric wire when she climbed on to a water tanker to see her right hand suffer severe damage and worse her father, Chandraiah (a fisherman), who tried to protect her, succumbed to the electric shock on the spot. A tragedy which could have completely demoralised any one of Bhavani's age when she was 10 and just dreaming to make it big in the world of sport. And, with mother Bujjamma, working on daily wages in a hotel, the financial woes of this little family (she has an elder brother who lives separately) could have easily stopped any parent in encouraging the kid to continue passion in sport. ALSO READ | Bihar to establish residential sports school for para-athletes But, the double blow of losing her right arm and her father made Bhavani doubly determined, with the gutsy mother backing her dreams despite all odds. Yes, after staying away from any sport for five years, during which it was her mother who kept motivating her, after that terrible accident, Bhavani saw a newspaper clipping about a District meet for para athletes and participated in it. That turned out to be the beginning of a new chapter in her career. With the AP Para Sports Association President G. Venkateshwara Rao and the general secretary V. Ramaswamy backing her indefatigable spirit to make it big in sport, this brave heart pursued her sporting career with renewed hope and vigour and making slow and steady progress since 2021 winning medals consistently at different levels. 'I have never won a gold even in the Nationals. So, winning two gold in the Czech Republic will stand out as truly special. For, not only the long wait has ended but also has given me a lot of hope to dream big and chase the 2028 Paralympic Games (she missed the 2024 Paris edition selections because of an injury on her left-knee),' Bhavani informed in a telephonic chat. 'Honestly, for years I have been training day in and out daily for six hours and so these two gold are the result of all that,' the champion athlete said. 'Yes, I owe everything to my coach Zaseem (at District Sports Authority in Nellore) for his mentorship and always believing in me,' said a grateful Bhavani, who herself worked part time in packing section of a palm oil company in Nellore to make a living for some time. 'Now, we survive on the State Government pension of about Rs 6000,' she said. Bhavani, who completed in Aditya College (Nellore), is hopeful of getting a State Government job thanks to the new Sports Policy which offers a three per cent quota for sportspersons with outstanding achievements. ALSO READ | Logo, mascot for 2025 World Para Athletics Championships unveiled Incidentally, 26-year-old Bhavani's trip to Czech Republic and the training before that was possible thanks to the financial assistance of Rs. 1 lakh by an NRIs Cell. 'Well, last year because of the left knee injury I couldn't attend the 2024 Paralympics selections. And, since I couldn't afford to get treated in any big corporate hospital, I visited Chaitanya Hospital in Ongole where a senior doctor was kind enough to treat me and provide the much needed relief,' she said. Bhavani reveals that since she lost her right arm in the accident, she has to generate power and speed with the left hand bearing the brunt and the two legs sharing the load too. 'It is obviously painful after every sprint. But, since my dad always wished me to be good at sports, I just try to forget about the pain and stay focussed as I am determined to do really well in sports,' she said. Not surprisingly, when Bhavani made a video call to her mother after the first gold in the 200m, the emotions of the proud parent were understandable. 'She just kept crying. She couldn't just believe and at the same time that joy of me winning the gold was truly special for her for all the sacrifices she made for me,' recalls Bhavani. In fact, the para athlete was scheduled to compete in the long jump event too in Czech Republic but since the Bengaluru International meet is from July 10, Bhavani decided to skip that and return to India. 'Well, the mission is partly accomplished. Now, the focus will be on Paralympics gold for sure and before that the Para Asiad too,' signed off a visibly delighted and confident Bhavani.
Gulf Insider
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Insider
Bahrain Para Athletics Team Wins 7 Medals At Tunis International Meeting
Bahrain's para athletics team won seven medals at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, Tunis 2025, held from June 16 to 18, with over 500 athletes representing 61 countries. The team earned one gold, three silver, and three bronze medals. The delegation was led by Shaikh Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and included Noura Al Anzi (administrator), and coaches Ali Al Ghazal, Emad Murad, and Ahmed Mushaima. Ruba Al Omari delivered a standout performance, winning gold in the shot put (F55/F56) with a throw of 7.30m, the top Asian performance of the year 2025. She also secured silver in the discus (F55) with a personal and Asian record of 24.31m, and bronze in the javelin (F55) with another Asian best of 17.46m. Saad Mohamed set a personal best of 26.20m in the club throw (F32), while Nassar Al Muraisi won silver in the 200m (T54/T53/T51) and bronze in the 800m (T34/T53/T54). Ahmed Nooh won silver in the 400m (T53) and bronze in the 200m (T54/T53/T51), maintaining his strong international presence. These results reflect the growing success of para athletics in Bahrain and the support provided to athletes. Source Bahrain News Agency
New Indian Express
04-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Basil wins gold at World Para Athletics Grand Prix
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mohammad Basil has brought glory to the nation by clinching the gold medal in the 100M-T47 event at the prestigious World Para Athletics Grand Prix-Handisport Open Paris 2025 held in France. Basil, who trains at the SAI National Centre of Excellence (NCOE), in the capital delivered a stunning performance to secure the top spot in his category. Basil is currently training under the guidance of Sreenivasan, high performance coach, whose mentorship has been instrumental in shaping Basil's progress and international success. The World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Paris is a premier international competition attracting elite para-athletes from across the world. Officials at SAI LNCPE here extended their heartfelt congratulations to Basil, commending his dedication, discipline, and hard work.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
From Goa to Paris, 20-year-old blind athlete Sakshi prepares for her 1st foreign challenge
Sakshi Kale, visually-challenged athlete from Goa PANAJI: When Sakshi Kale started taking part in competitive athletics three years ago, she was advised to get her passport done. A visually-challenged athlete from Usgao in Ponda taluka, Sakshi, 20, left nobody in doubt that she would go places. She became the first blind athlete from Goa to win a medal at the Para Athletics National Championship, later won an international medal, even competed against regular athletes at home, and is now taking a flight to Paris where she will take part in the World Para Athletics Grand Prix Championship. The World Para Athletics Grand Prix will see the world's best para athletes in action from across the world, as the new cycle towards the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games begins. India will have 13 athletes battling for honours. 'I started taking part in national-level events three years ago, and never believed I could grow so much,' Sakshi told TOI on Tuesday. 'Everyone said it was a must for me to have a passport, and now it's actually being put to use. I really can't believe all this is happening to me. To compete internationally is something I could only dream of.' Sakshi, who has 75% blind disability, will compete in the 400m and 1500m races in the T13 category, meant for visually-impaired runners who have a restricted field of view, their peripheral vision limited, and central vision a blur. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Her selection comes on the back of impressive performances at the Khelo India Para Nationals and the World Para Athlete Grand Prix 2025 in Delhi, where she won a gold and silver in 100m with a timing of 14.47 minutes. When her mother passed on the selection news she had received from the Paralympic Committee of India, it took some time for the 20-year-old to realise that she was indeed going to Paris, a place she had only read about. The next was preparation, as she attempts to match the top athletes from across the world. 'It won't be easy to compete against the world's best, but I am confident of putting up a good show since my preparations have been thorough. I am not scared of competition,' said Sakshi, a third year student at Government College, Khandola. Her training, for four hours everyday, included beach running, road running, sessions in the gymnasium, and practice on the track at Bambolim where she reached, having travelled 40km from Usgao alone, walking through a dirt road to catch a bus, and then changing it twice to reach the stadium. 'I feel I am a better athlete now,' said Sakshi. 'I can feel the difference, particularly after the gym sessions, where I was allowed to use whatever facilities I needed. Weights, steams, ice baths, everything was available.' Sakshi's pet events include sprints and long jump, but she's now giving middle distance a try in Paris, emboldened by some recent results where she did well at mini marathons. She won gold in 5,000m at the inter-collegiate athletic championship and then made heads turn by winning the 10k running events in Mulgao, Mayem, Bicholim, Cumbharjua, and Assagao. 'I don't know about the results in Paris, but I can assure everyone that I'll give my best. That's the least I can do for all those who have kept faith in me and supported me all along,' said Sakshi.
