Sharjah 2019: Beatrice Vio takes second gold

The International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Games saw Italian Rio 2016 champion Beatrice Vio taking her second wheelchair fencing title in the team competition on Thursday (14 February) in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Together with Loredana Triglia and Andrea Mogos, they beat the Russian* team of Alena Evdokimova, Iuliia Maya, Irina Mishurova and Viktoria Boykova 45-20 in the women’s epee final.

Hungary grabbed bronze courtesy of Gyongi Dani, Zsuzsanna Krajnyak, Eva Andrea Hajmasi and Boglarka Mezo.

Russia did however manage to claim the top spot in the men’s epee team.

Artur Yusopov, Maxim Shaburov, Roman Fedyaev and Alexander Kuzyukov triumphed over the Polish team of Norbert Calka, Michal Nalewajek, Darius Pender and Kamil Rzasa 45-25.

China were third as Sai Chun Zhong, Gang Sung, Daoliang Hu and Liqiang Chen rounded off the top three.

The competition acted as both a World Cup and as a qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Badminton

Pramod Bhagat showed why he is the world No. 1 in the men’s singles SL3.

The Indian grabbed gold after an unbeaten run that saw him overcome Thailand’s Mongkhon Bunsun 2-0 in the gold medal match.

Bhagat also stepped onto the top of the podium in the mixed doubles SL3 – SU5 with Parul Dalsukhbhai Parmar, also the world No.1 in the women’s SL3.

The UAE’s Mohamed Ahmed Alazarooni was the victor in the men’s WH2 ahead of Afghanistan’s Omid Haqjoo.

Parmar and Photisuppaiboon also paired-up and took the women’s doubles SL3 – SU5 gold.

Athletics

The men’s 100m T40 podium was an all-Indian affair, led by 22-year-old Balasubramanian Rajkumar. Devappa More and Rajashetty Kollangi were second and third respectively.

Selvaraj Alagappan picked up another gold for India with his final throw in the men’s javelin F40/41.

Norway won their first gold of the World Games 2019 in the women’s javelin F37/38/44/46. Ida Nesse, an F44 athlete, threw 33.10m.

Canada also reached success on the track as Austin Smeenk powered to gold in the men’s 100m T33/34. Germany’s Lindy Ave secured her second gold in as many days in the women’s 200m T37/38/45.

Algeria’s Kamel Kardjena was the victor in the men’s shot put F33.

Lahouari Bahlaz took a second gold for Algeria in the men’s club throw, while Thailand’s Putharet Khongrak led the field in the men’s 200m T54.

Khongrak also went on to cross the finish line first in the men’s 1,500m T54.

Table tennis

There was a shock as home star and world No.1 Yousuf Alkaabli lost to Kazakhstan’s Ali Makhulbekov in the men’s standing.

Hungary’s Bettina Bicsak won the women’s equivalent following a victory over India’s Poonam Poonam.

In the men’s wheelchair division, Thailand topped the podium. Yuttajak Glinbanchuen overcame South Korea’s Byung Jun Song in the final.

Thailand’s Panwas Sringam was the victor in the women’s wheelchair division.

Swimming

India enjoyed a great day in the pool.

Swapnil Sanjay Patil dominated the men’s 400m freestyle featuring S8 and S10 swimmers. In the men’s 100m breaststroke, SB7 swimmer Suyash Narayan Jadhav took gold.

Thailand’s Monruedee Kangpila took home two golds in the women’s 100m breaststroke and 100m butterfly.

The 2019 IWAS World Games continue until 16 February. More than 500 athletes from 50 countries are competing in seven sports across three venues.

*Editor's note: The International Paralympic Committee suspended the Russian Paralympic Committee on 7 August 2016 for its inability to fulfil its IPC membership responsibilities and obligations, in particular its obligation to comply with the IPC Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Code (to which it is also a signatory). As a result of the suspension, Russian athletes cannot enter IPC sanctioned events or competitions, including the Paralympic Games