India determined to return home with a minimum of 20 medals

DUBAI, 9th March: Mohamed Hammadi clinched a second gold to lead UAE’s medal charge on day two of the first ever IPC Athletics Asia-Oceania Championships Dubai 2016 on Tuesday 8th March.

The UAE star cruised to an easy victory in the men’s 800m T34 final easing up at the finish line in 1:56.91 outclassing Qatar’s Rashid Al Kubaisi (2:13.14) at the Dubai Police Officer’s Club stadium.

UAE won three gold medals in addition to a silver and bronze on the second day of the competition being held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC).

Salem Al Shehhi stormed to victory in the men’s 100m T54 final in an impressive time of 14.86 while his Emirati compatriot Rashed Al Dhaheri (15.14) edged out Japan’s Yuki Nishi (15.31) to take silver.

“I am preparing for the Rio Paralympics and this win will give me confidence to do well in Brazil,” said Al Shehhi.

Al Dhaheri clinched a gold in the men’s 1,500m T54, leading the from start to finish and win the Asia-Oceania title in 3:25.19.

Hammadi, who won gold over 200m on Monday, did not exult over his victory but was focused on improving his timings.

“I was feeling more comfortable in this race and wasn’t pushing too much since I was looking to see how I can develop performance in near future. I just arrived from London two days before the Championships after looking for a new chair with a new design,” said the 30-year-old world silver medallist who is determined to shine at this year’s Paralympic Games in Brazil.

“I’m not looking to show there is too much difference between me and others. I’m sure about winning so I have don’t have to push myself but save my best for the future,” said the Asian record holder who slowed down at the finish.

“I’m looking to improve myself, I’m not looking for times,” said Hammadi who also competes in the 100m and 400m T34 in this Championships.

But their was disappointment for UAE’s ‘Superwoman’ Thuraya Al Zaabi who had to settle for bronze in the women’s Javelin Throw F34 event.

“I did my maximum but I feel sad because in our category some athletes are standing and others like me are using wheelchair. This gives an unfair advantage to those standing because you cannot generate power while seated,” said UAE’s first woman Paralympian who has competed in Beijing and London Games.

However, she was pleased with the high standard of competition.

“This tournament is very strong because there are athletes from Malaysia and Australia which is good because they represent Asia and Oceania. The standard in this tournament is very high because everyone is trying to get points to qualify for the Olympics,” said Thuraya.

India are determined to return home with a minimum of 20 medals with Prasanna Kumar (men’s javelin F42) and world silver medallist Devendra (men’s javelin F46) striking gold on day two.

“We have brought 20 athletes and want to win as much medals,” said
Kumar (F42) who edged out of Indonesia’s Yohanes Bili (F44) in the men’s javelin F42/44 with a penultimate throw of 46.59m (876 points).

Although he has already qualified for the Rio Paralympics after his performance at the IPC World Championships in Doha last year, Kumar was not optimistic of winning medals in Brazil.

“It’s tough in Rio because unlike here there won’t be the Raaza system where points are given when lower category competes with higher category. In Rio only distance will count,” said the 37-year-old from Bangalore who is employed as an education co-ordinator in Karnataka.

Kuwait won their first gold of the Championships through Dhari Buti (F37) in the men’s shot put F37/38 with a best throw of 11.49m (639 points).

The IPC Athletics Asia-Oceania Championships is organized and supervised by the Dubai Club for the Disabled with the support of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare, the DSC and the UAE Paralympic Committee.

The Official Sponsors of this Championship are as follows: Hamdan Bin Mohamed Heritage Center (HHC), Al Maktoum Foundation, Sheikha Maitha Centre for People with Special Needs, Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Falcon City, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, BMW and Dubai Investments.

It will be held until March 12th at the Dubai Police Officers Club in Jadaf with the participation of more than 250 athletes.

The participating countries are China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, UAE, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Kuwait, Fiji and India.

The competition is held from 3.30pm to 7.30pm daily. Athletes compete in distances from 100m, 200m, 400, 800m, 1,500m, 5,000m, 4x100m and 4x400m relay events on the track, and field events of shot put, discus, javelin, club throw, long jump, high jump and triple jump. The track and field events will be held in accordance with the rules and regulations of IPC Athletics.