UAE’s Mohammad al-Hammadi makes it a golden double

The UAE's Paralympic sensation Mohammad Al Hammadi secured his second gold medal in the GCC Para-Athletics Championships in Doha with a time of 28.13 seconds in the men's 200m T33-34 event, finishing ahead of world record holder Ahmad Al Mutairi of Kuwait. Rashid Al Daheri of the UAE also won gold in an incredibly close 800m T53/54 final with Kuwaiti Faisal Al Rajehi settling for the silver.

"I consider Doha my lucky charm after winning three gold medals in the GCC Championships. This is a great morale-booster for me ahead of the Doha 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships in October in which I will compete in the 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m. After my performance here, I am extremely optimistic and I hope to achieve much in Doha,” said Hammadi, who had earlier displayed sheer power and experience over his competitors by claiming the gold medal in the 400m T34 event.

In the women's discus throw, the UAE's Aisha Al Khaldi won the gold medal ahead of Qatar's Sara Masoud, who took the bronze and Emirati Zenab Al Braiki, who took the silver. "The GCC Para-Athletics Championships offered us an invaluable opportunity to take part in a high-level competition ahead of the Doha 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships in October. This will be the first edition of the World Championships that will be held in the Middle East and it will be an incredible experience to compete in Doha,” said an elated Al Khaldi.

The GCC Para-Athletics Championships will enter their final day on September 15 after an exhilarating three-day competition, in which world records were broken in Qatar Sports Club. They are serving as a test event for the Doha 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships, to be held in the Qatar Sports Club from 21-31. The Local Organising Committee gained valuable experience during the GCC Championships in which they tested the operational readiness and procedures of the team.

Qatari athlete Abdul Rahman Abdul Qader continued his medal-winning streak with a silver in the men's javelin F33/34 event. In the shot put F33/34, Sara Masoud ensured a fifth gold medal of the championship for Qatar.

Source: Gulf News