Dedaj headlines Italian winners at Grosseto Grand Prix

Italy’s European long jump silver medallist Arjola Dedaj was one of a number of winners for the host nation on the first day of competition at the IPC Athletics Grand Prix in Grosseto on Friday (12 June).

The eighth Grand Prix of the season doubles up as the Italian Open Championships and Dedaj led the way on home soil with victory in the women’s long jump T11-T12.

The 33-year-old won three medals last August at Swansea 2014 and was victorious at the venue that will stage next summer’s European Championships with a fifth round leap of 4.02m.

Also tasting victory on home soil was Ismaele Veloce (12.00m) in the men’s javelin F34 and Maria Santoriello (5.85m/420 points) in the women’s shot put F35-38.

Fabio Staffolani (7.89m/504 points) won the men’s shot put F35-36.

On the track, there wins over 1,500m for Great Britain’s world record holder Mel Nichols (4:04.53) in the women’s T34, Mauritius’ Jeremy L’Etandrine (4:56.71) in the men’s T34 and France's Pierre Fairbank (3:29.91) in the men’s T53-54.

Tunisia’s Somaya Bousaid (4:26.88) posted the fastest time of the year so far in the women’s 1,500m T13 as did Colombia’s Maritza Arango Buitrago (4:51.66) in the T11 class.

Around 470 athletes from 38 countries are in Grosseto for the Grand Prix that will run until Sunday (14 June).

All the results from the event can be found here.