Latest news with #WorldParaAthletics
Eyewitness News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Eyewitness News
Paralympian Simoné Kruger scoops gold, breaks African record at World Para Athletics Grand Prix
In March, the Paralympic gold medallist was awarded the Zanele Situ trophy for the best-performing athlete at the recent Winelands International Para Athletics Championships. Earlier in the year, Kruger scooped the Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability at the Athletics South Africa Awards for the second year in a row. Kruger represented South Africa at the Paris Paralympics and brought home one of South Africa's six medals from the 2024 Games. She dominated the women's F38 discus at the Paralympics, breaking the Paralympic record and winning South Africa's second gold medal with a throw of 38.70m. In 2025, there are only nine events of Grand Prix and these competitions were already held in cities such as Dubai, Paris and New Delhi, with Olomouc becoming the very first Czech host in history. The Olomouc event is the last competition of this year's Grand Prix series and will be exclusively dedicated to women, an initiative of World Para Athletics to promote greater female participation in parasport.
Business Wire
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Business Wire
BlazeSports America Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary of Annual Peachtree Paragames
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BlazeSports America, a nonprofit organization founded after the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games and a leader in the field of adaptive sports and recreation, is celebrating the five-year anniversary of the Peachtree Paragames event, which will take place on June 20 th and 21 st. The Peachtree Paragames is a two-day adaptive sports competition designed for youth, adults, and veterans with physical disabilities. This year's Peachtree Paragames is a World Para Athletics–approved event, allowing adult competitors to submit official results for record consideration. The multi-sport, multi-day competition honors the legacy of the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta and provides athletes with physical disabilities a platform to compete, showcase their abilities, and earn a spot at national-level competitions. The fifth annual Peachtree Paragames will feature adaptive swimming, track and field, and archery, attracting participants from across the country. It will also include the Toddler Games and Play Day, an engaging event created for younger athletes. Open to all toddlers ages 2–6, with and without disabilities, this event offers activities including the foam javelin throw, long jump, and a 60-meter dash. Additionally, the event will host badminton and wheelchair football clinics to introduce new adaptive sports to athletes. "We're energized by the growth of this event and proud to provide a platform for adaptive athletes to showcase their skills and competitive spirit,' said Dawn Churi, Executive Director of BlazeSports. 'We invite all athletes, families, and community members to join us and hope the event sparks meaningful conversations and greater awareness about the power and importance of adaptive sports." The schedule of events is as follows: For more information or to register for the Peachtree Paragames please visit About BlazeSports America BlazeSports America is the direct legacy 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games serving children, youth, and Veterans with disabilities through programs, training and education initiatives. Based in Atlanta and a two-time winner of the US Olympic Committee's Rings of Gold for impactful programs, BlazeSports is a member of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee - Affiliate Organization Council, and a USA Member Organization of World Ability Sport. BlazeSports America will celebrate its 30 th anniversary in 2026. For more information visit and follow us on Facebook/Twitter: @blazesports, Instagram: @blazesportsamerica.
Hans India
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Gurjar Mahendra sets new world record as India dominates at WPA GP 2025
Nottwil (Switzerland): India's para-athletes delivered an emphatic statement on the global stage at the World Para Athletics (WPA) Grand Prix 2025, held from May 23 to 25 in Nottwil, Switzerland. The highlight of the event came from Gurjar Mahendra, who broke the world record in the Javelin F42 category with a sensational throw of 61.17 meters, claiming gold and etching his name in para-sporting history. Joining him in the gold rush was India's global icon and Paralympic champion Sumit Antil, who once again proved his dominance in the Javelin F64 category with a remarkable throw of 72.35 meters, reaffirming his status as a favorite heading into future international championships. The Indian contingent's performance in Nottwil was nothing short of extraordinary, with Pingane Mina Vilas securing a treble in the F57 category, clinching gold medals in discus (16.13m), shot put (4.29m), and javelin (10.56m)—a rare and commendable sweep across all her events. Among the standout performers was Bhuvi Agarwal, who struck gold in both the long jump T20 with a leap of 4.15 meters, and the 400 meters T20, clocking an impressive 1:12.23. Her athleticism and composure under pressure continued to mark her as a rising star in Indian para-athletics. Multi-event talent Perumalsamy Santhanakumar added to India's medal tally with gold in the long jump T46 (5.71m) and the 400 meters T46 (57.44 seconds), along with a silver in the 100 meters T46, showcasing his versatility on both track and field. In the same sprint category, Moorthy Pragadeeshwara Raja earned a silver in the 400 meters T11 (1:01.59) and a bronze in the 100 meters T11, demonstrating consistency and determination. Veteran thrower Ravi Rangoli brought home double gold in the F40 category, excelling in both shot put (9.78m) and javelin (34.58m). His continued excellence was complemented by Gurjar Mahendra, who added to his record-breaking javelin triumph with another gold in the long jump T42, leaping to 5.59 meters. Reflecting on the historic campaign, Devendra Jhajharia, Chairperson of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), expressed his pride in the team's achievements: 'Breaking a world record is a monumental feat, and to see our athletes achieve this on the international stage fills us with immense pride. The performance in Nottwil showcases the exceptional depth and potential of Indian para-athletics. These athletes are not just winning medals—they're inspiring a nation and redefining what's possible.'
Sky News
18-03-2025
- Sky News
UK Athletics and former sports boss plead not guilty to manslaughter over death of athlete Abdullah Hayayei
UK Athletics and a former World Para Athletics boss have pleaded not guilty to manslaughter over the death of a Paralympian in London eight years ago. A metal pole fell and hit Abdullah Hayayei on the head while he was training at Newham Leisure Centre, east of the capital, on 11 July 2017. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The United Arab Emirates Paralympian, 36, was training for the F34 class discus, javelin, and shot put at the World Para Athletics Championships in London when the pole, part of a throwing cage, fell on him. Appearing at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, Keith Davies, who was head of sport for the championships at the time, pleaded not guilty to gross negligence manslaughter and a health and safety offence. UK Athletics Limited, the national governing body for athletics, entered the same plea for the same charges through their barrister, Simon Antrobus KC. The Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges against both parties in January. An eight-week trial is due to begin on 12 October 2026 at the Old Bailey, the court was told on Tuesday, with a case management hearing due on 12 December this year. Mr Davies, 77, of Leytonstone, east London, was released on unconditional bail. Mr Hayayei made his Paralympic debut at the Rio de Janeiro games in 2016 and was set to feature in his second World Championships in 2017 before he died.
Gulf News
16-02-2025
- Sport
- Gulf News
UAE finish with 21 medals in Fazza Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025
UAE's Mohamad Othman reacts after his men's 800m T34 race. Supplied Dubai: Para discus thrower Abdulla Mesbahi claimed the eighth gold for hosts UAE as they finished the 16th Fazza Para Athletics Grand Prix — Dubai 2025 with 21 medals at the Dubai Club for People of Determination grounds. Mesbahi finished on top in the men's discus F51/52/54 final with a throw of 24,75 metres as the hosts finished in fourth place in the medal standings. Overall, India, Saudi Arabia and Kenya claimed the top three positions in the table with nine gold medals each. Other UAE medallist on the final day was the promising Mohamad Othman who took his third medal, a bronze in men's 800m wheelchair T34 race clocking 1:42.33 seconds. Othman already has a gold from the event when he claimed the men's 100m T34 races. Tunisian five-time Paralympic champion Walid Ktila finally won his first medal at the competition, a gold finishing the race in two seconds ahead of his UAE friend, in the men's 800m T34 finals. Earlier, the host UAE had several winners including Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games bronze medallist Thekra Alkaabi (women's club throw F32), Yahya Alblooshi (men's 100m T45/46), Siham Alrasheedy (women's discus F52- 57), Sara Aljneibi, the Rio 2026 Paralympic bronze medallist (women's shot put F32/33), Abdalla Almarzooqi (men's 100m T71/72) among others. Event director Majid Al Usaimi thanked the participants for the amazing performances. 'The Fazza Championships have grown over the years and several Paralympic champions have emerged from this event. We are happy to provide a great platform to these amazing athletes many of whom started their Paralympic journey here. Thank you for making this event become among one of the best championships in the Para sport world. We look forward to your support and participation in the years to come.' Among the top names, Swiss legend Marcel Hug signed off the Dubai 2025 Grand Prix with his third gold medal, this time winning the men's 5000m wheelchair T54 race in 10:02.89 seconds. Earlier, Hug claimed the top places in men's 800m and 1500m wheelchair T54 races. China's multiple-time Paralympic and world champion Lijuan Zou clinched her second gold medal in the competition winning the women's shot put F34 with an effort of 8.09 metres. The season-opening Grand Prix was competed by around 400 para-athletes from 52 nations between February 10 to 13. The event was also the season opener in the Grand Prix calendar of the World Para Athletics, the world body for the sport. Sign up for the Daily Briefing Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
