Dubai 2016: Day two preview

Watch out for Malaysia’s Asian record holder Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli in the men’s shot put F20 when he takes the field on Tuesday (8 March) in the 2016 IPC Athletics Asia-Oceania Championships in Dubai, UAE, at the city’s Police Officer’s Club venue.

The 25-year-old secured bronze in the event at last October’s World Championships in Doha, Qatar, to add to the Asian Para Games gold and Paralympic bronze medals already in his collection.

Only 46 centimetres separated the three podium finishers in Qatar, and Zolkefli will have high hopes of more success this year with the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, less than six months away – particularly as he has already managed a season best 15.73m.

The UAE’s Thuraya Alzaabi made history eight years ago when she became her country’s first female Paralympian, competing at Beijing 2008 and then London 2012. Alzaabi has competed at no fewer than four World Championships, and she will be hoping her experience pays dividends as she lines up in the women’s javelin F34 on Tuesday.

Three world finalists from Doha 2015 line up in Dubai for the men’s javelin F42/44. It was India’s Narender Ranbir (F44) who was the best of the bunch last year. Ranbir will once again hope to hold off the challenge from Sri Lanka’s Chaminda Sampath Hetti Arachchige (F44) and fellow Indian Prasanna Kumar (F42).

Iran’s Asian Para Games champion and 2012 Paralympic silver medallist Abdolreza Jokar (F53) is the favourite in the men’s javelin F53/54. His compatriot Hamed Amiri (F54), UAE’s Abdulla Al Masbahi (F54) and Saudi Arabia’s Saleh Alanazi (F54) will be hoping to upset Jokar’s plans.

Setiyo Budi Hartanto will look to secure gold for Indonesia as he goes in the men’s long jump T47. The world and Asian Para Games bronze medallist set a personal best of 6.95m at the 2015 Worlds and will be one to watch in Dubai, as will India’s world silver medallist Devendra in the men’s javelin F46.

On the track, local favourite Mohamed Hammadi will aim for gold again, having topped the podium in the 200m T34 on day one (Monday) of competition.

This time, the 800m T34 and the world silver medallist and Asian record holder will undoubtedly prove stiff opposition for his Qatari challengers, Mohammed Rashid Al-Kubaisi and Khalid Hamad Al-Harji.

Saudia Arabia’s world championship finalist Fahad Alganaidl goes in the men’s 100m T53. The 31-year-old finished third at last year’s IPC Athletics Grand Prix final in London, Great Britain, and will be a strong contender for gold in Dubai.

Expect an exciting race in the women’s 100m T37 as three finalists from the 2015 World Championships go under starter’s orders. Hong Kong’s Sze Yan Wong (T36) and Kwok Fan Yam (T36) finished sixth and seventh respectively in Doha 2015, with Japan’s Yuki Kato (T37) close behind in eighth. The trio line up again in Dubai and will be joined on the track by the UAE’s Khandija Alsuwaidi (T37).

More than 220 athletes from 24 countries will take part in the first ever IPC Athletics Asia-Oceania Championships, which runs until 12 March.

A livestream is available via the Dubai 2016 website and live results are also available online.