Dubai Grand Prix – Five things we learned

One week on from the opening World Para Athletics Grand Prix of the 2017 season in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, here are some of the talking points:

1. The season begins – and already records fall

It may be just the start of the 2017 Para athletics season, but world records are already falling. Seven new world records were set over the four days of competition in the UAE – four in discus events alone.

2. Age is no barrier to success

Latvia’s Aigars Apinis (F52) and Algeria’s Madia Medjmedj (F56) both set new world record marks in Dubai – and both are 43-years-old.

3. Young talent also shone in the UAE

Turkey’s T20 Para athlete Muhsine Gezer may be only 13-years-old but she showed she’s already got what it takes to succeed on the big stage, winning both the 800m and 1,500m events.

4. Algerian Para athletes dominated

Algerian women showed they are a force to be reckoned with on the world stage, claiming four out of the seven world records that fell. Mounia Gasmi (discus F32), Nadia Medjmedj (discus F56), Asmahan Boudjadar (javelin F33) and Safia Djelal (javelin F57) all made their mark.

5. Watch out for the Brits come London 2017

Great Britain’s star sprinters were out in force in Dubai, making their intentions clear ahead of a home World Championships this summer: Sophie Hahn, Maria Lyle, Zachary Shaw and Craig Boardman were amongst British winners.

The next Grand Prix will take place in Tunis, Tunisia, between 13-15 April.