The U.A.E. opened their account with four medals which included three silver and a bronze at the 2nd Asian Para Games for the physically challenged. The U.A.E. lie fifth in the medal count. China top the table with 29 gold.
It was a great start for the U.A.E. paralympians in the South Korean port city of Incheon where the Games continue till October 24.
First to hit silver was Abdullah Al Aryani, who was edged out into second place in the 10m air rifle shooting event. This was followed by another silver elsewhere when an impressive second attempt saw Ahmed Al Hosni with a heave of 24.69 metres stand on the podium following the men's discus in his category, the official U.A.E. team media statement said.
Reliable Mary Matrooshi landed silver for the third time for the U.A.E. when she powered her javelin to a distance of 30.96 metres.
Mary's solid show inspired her colleague Aisha Al Khalidi who finished in bronze spot in the shot put with a distance of 3.49 metres in the Games which sees over 4,500 athletes taking part. Elsewhere from the main stadium, the highly favoured U.A.E.'s men's wheelchair men's basketball squad went down fighting in their opening rounds. Mohamed Fadel Hamli, president of the Federation of the U.A.E. Disabled Sports Federation and member of the International Paralympic Committee, praised the support and technical staff who make it possible for the physically challenged U.A.E. sportspersons to do well in international competition.
On Aryani's show, he said: "Aryani's was another great performance after his London Olympics and the Fazza Championship medals. We dedicate the achievements to our wise leaders.” The U.A.E. contingent of 58 participants have another tight schedule facing them in the coming days.
The cagers have to play plucky Chinese Taipei in their qualification game, while the archers have to take on the might of the Chinese from the mainland and Taipeh, South Korea and Japan.
Mohammed Al Shehhi has been shaping up well in the men's archery competition while fencer Mohammed Al Habsi runs into strong opposition early in his category of competition. Sarah Kaabi, M. Ali., Y. Rashidi, Aisha, Abdulaziz Shukaily, Sara Sinani, Abdullah Mesbahi and Hassan Mlaleih are all medal contenders in the various discus, shot and javelin categories.
It's been smooth sailing for Rashid, Yahya Al Balushi, Nawara Ketbi Slujan, Salem Shehhi and Mohammed S. in the early rounds of the men's 100m categories while 400m sprint ace Marwan Dahmani is a strong medal prospect.
Source: WAM