Dubai witnessed an electrifying start to the 17th Fazza International Para Athletics Championships as Emirati athlete Mohammed Youssef Othman secured the host nation’s first gold medal in the men’s 100m T34 event. The 22-year-old sprinter delivered a dominant performance at the Dubai Club for People of Determination grounds, a familiar training venue that has shaped his athletic development.
Othman clocked an impressive 15.00 seconds to outpace five-time Paralympic champion Walid Ktila of Tunisia (15.39s), while fellow UAE competitor Ahmed Nawad captured bronze with 15.97s. This victory marks a significant milestone for Othman, who placed fifth at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and has since intensified his training regimen with international sessions in Poland and Tunisia.
“This gold medal sets an excellent foundation for my seasonal objectives,” expressed an exhilarated Othman. “My primary focus remains securing victory at the upcoming Asian Para Games in Nagoya.”
The championship witnessed additional Emirati triumphs as Kobe 2024 world champion Maryam Alzeyoudi claimed gold in the women’s discus throw F11/38/40/41/44 final with a throw of 20.47m, outperforming seven-time Paralympic champion Raoua Tlili of Tunisia.
International stars also made their mark, with India’s two-time Paralympic champion Sumit Antil launching a season-opening throw of 68.26m to win the combined men’s javelin F42/44/64 final. Pakistan’s Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion Haider Ali likewise opened his season triumphantly, securing gold in the men’s discus F36/37 final with a fourth-attempt throw of 54.71m.
The event continues to showcase exceptional athletic prowess while reinforcing Dubai’s growing prominence in the global para sports arena.