UAE clinch five medals on penultimate day of World Para Athletics Grand Prix

Emirati para athletes grabbed five more medals to take their tally to 12 at the Dubai 2022 World Para Athletics Grand Prix - 13th Fazza International Para Athletics Championships - on Thursday.

The host nation won two silvers and three bronze to take their overall tally to one gold, seven silvers and four bronze on the third and penultimate at the Dubai Club for People of Determination.

UAE's Mariam Al Matrooshi took silver in the women’s javelin F13/45/46 final. Ida Nesse of Norway won gold and Irina Tychshenko of Kazakhstan settled for bronze.

Ahmed Al Hosani and Ahmed Al Maazmi took silver and bronze for the hosts behind Algerian Kamel Kardjena in the men’s shot put F33.

Emirati Abdulla Mesbahi bagged bronze in the men’s shot put F53/54. Alaa Abdulsalam of Syria and Yaser Al Mosalam of Kuwait won gold and silver respectively.

Mohammad Vahdani also took bronze in the men’s T54 wheelchair 400m behind Britain’s Daniel Sidbury and Phiphatphong Sianglam of Thailand.

Mariam Al Zeyoudi set an Asian record with a throw of 7.84m yet her efforts fell short of a podium finish in the women’s shot put F40/41/45.

The Tunisian pair of Raoua Tlili (9.99) and Nourhein Salem took gold and silver while Colombia’s Mayerli Ariza edged out Al Zeyoudi for the bronze.

“I am very happy and proud of my efforts today but still missed out on my second medal in the championships,” Al Zeyoudi, who won silver in the discus throw on day two of the championship, said.

“I may not have won a medal today but this definitely was a big confidence booster for me. The Fazza Championship is a good preparation for the upcoming Asian Para Games. I will work more hard to get a medal in Hangzhou.”

Thailand lead the medals table on 26 (8 golds, 8 silvers and 9