UAE’s Siham Al Rashidi has set her sights on claiming a medal at the 9th Fazza Para-Athletics Championships – Dubai 2017 World Para Athletics Grand Prix although she acknowledges it won’t be easy given the strength of field.
The 35-year-old has made significant progress since taking up javelin, discus and javelin in 2009 after impressing in elite and Asian competitions. Her last major competition – the Paralympics in Rio, saw her finish sixth in the discus throw F57 with a 25.69m effort, just 1cm short of her personal best.
She has now qualified for July’s World Para Athletics Championships in London and while it’s still a few months away, she admits finishing on the podium at the Dubai Club for the Disabled, would give her a lot of confidence considering it’s one of the nine rounds on the Grand Prix calendar.
“I want to win a medal here in my own country,” she said who will compete in the discus F57 classification when the competition gets under way from March 20.
“I want to reach my best in my event. I have been training hard for this competition and hopefully I will be among the medalists.
“For the competition to be held here is very good and it gives us an opportunity to act as ambassadors for the UAE. We want to show how good the country is and show the visiting athletes our culture, traditions and heritage.
“It also gives us a chance to prepare for the World Championships which is very important for me.”
The 2014 Asian bronze medalist is among a strong 24-person squad named by the UAE officials which also includes her Dubai Club for the Disabled team-mate Abbad Khalid.
The discus thrower will be competing in the F37 event and is looking forward to testing himself against the best.
“I’m preparing myself to be in the best possible shape for London and I want to give a good performance,” he said. “My handicap isn’t easy but I just love competing and I will try my best.”
This year’s competition will see almost 400 athletes from 42 countries in action.
Dubai Club for the Disabled chairman Thani Juma Berregad, said: “We are attracting countries like Macedonia, Gambia and Fiji to this competition and means that we are not only attracting the nations who always come to Dubai but also the newcomers which is very good for us.”
