Arabs go for gold as Paralympic championships open
Arabs go for gold as Paralympic championships open
Five Arabs have seen the fruits of their hard work on the first day of action at the IPC Athletics World Championships World Championships in Doha.
2 min read
The event is the biggest para-sport contest ever held in the Middle East [Getty]
Five Arab athletes won medals on Thursday on the opening day of competition at the IPC Athletics World Championships in Qatar.
More than 1,300 athletes from over 90 countries are taking part in the 2015 World Championships - the biggest para-sport event ever to be held in the Middle East.
Algeria is currently leading the Middle East medal table. with two athletes making it to the podium - Samir Nouioua took gold in the men's 1,500 metre T46 and Mounia Gasmi took the silver in the women's club throw F32.
Tunisia also medalled in the women's club throw F32, with Maroua Ibrahmi taking home the gold.
Egypt fared well with Hamada Hassan coming in second in the men's high jump T42 event.
Taking part in this year's games is the UAE's first ever female paralympian, Thuraya al-Zaabi.
"I have loved sports since I was young - not just athletics but sport in general," said the javelin, shot put and discus competitor.
"My physical condition led me to take up para-athletics, it is very difficult and requires greater effort but that shouldn't stop us from riding this wave," said Zaabi, who had a stroke at the age of 29, paralysing the left half of her body.
The 45-year-old, who represented the Emirates in the 2008 and 2012 Paralympics, said she was keen to show the world what para-athletes are capable of - and sent out an invitation for people to catch the action at the games.
The opening ceremony kicked off on Wednesday in Qatar, with the biggest ever number of athletes set to go for global gold over ten days of thrilling competition at Doha's Suhaim Bin Hamam stadium.
This year's event has 20 percent more competitors than the last World Championships in Lyon, France, with an impressive 39 percent increase in women competing.
More than 1,300 athletes from over 90 countries are taking part in the 2015 World Championships - the biggest para-sport event ever to be held in the Middle East.
Algeria is currently leading the Middle East medal table. with two athletes making it to the podium - Samir Nouioua took gold in the men's 1,500 metre T46 and Mounia Gasmi took the silver in the women's club throw F32.
Egypt fared well with Hamada Hassan coming in second in the men's high jump T42 event.
Taking part in this year's games is the UAE's first ever female paralympian, Thuraya al-Zaabi.
"I have loved sports since I was young - not just athletics but sport in general," said the javelin, shot put and discus competitor.
"My physical condition led me to take up para-athletics, it is very difficult and requires greater effort but that shouldn't stop us from riding this wave," said Zaabi, who had a stroke at the age of 29, paralysing the left half of her body.
The 45-year-old, who represented the Emirates in the 2008 and 2012 Paralympics, said she was keen to show the world what para-athletes are capable of - and sent out an invitation for people to catch the action at the games.
The opening ceremony kicked off on Wednesday in Qatar, with the biggest ever number of athletes set to go for global gold over ten days of thrilling competition at Doha's Suhaim Bin Hamam stadium.
This year's event has 20 percent more competitors than the last World Championships in Lyon, France, with an impressive 39 percent increase in women competing.
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