Old rivalries renewed as Grand Prix returns to Africa for traditional event in Tunis 

The World Para Athletics Grand Prix series moves to Africa next week for the fifth meeting on the 2022 calendar, the Tunis Grand Prix in Tunisia. 

The traditional meeting will see about 450 athletes from 27 countries competing from 27-29 June at the Athletics Stadium Rades. 

Hosts seek to strike again 

Last year, the host nation topped the medals tally at the event, followed by Morocco and Colombia.

The hosts' star athlete Walid Ktila is hoping to continue his impressive run of form, having enjoyed great success at the Grand Prix in Nottwil, Switzerland last month. The 36-year-old superstar secured gold medals in all four events in the men’s T34 class: 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m. 

Having won gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, gold at Rio 2016 and double gold at Tokyo 2020, Ktila showed he is wasting no time to make his mark in the men’s 100m T34 class, dominating the world stage wherever he competes. 

Ktila is joined by another home favourite poised to make an impression in the capital city: Raoua Tlili. The six-time Paralympic champion from Tunisia demonstrated she is still the queen of shot put after winning gold in the women’s F41 event at Tokyo 2022. 

Discuss showdown looms

In the women’s events, the discus throw F41 competition promises to be an electric affair as Tlili is set to reignite her rivalry with Morocco’s Youssra Karim. 

The pair have regularly traded blows in recent years, with Tlili edging out Karim in a nerve-shredding F41 discuss final at Tokyo 2020 to win gold. With her sixth and final throw of 37.91m, Tlili smashed the world record previously taken away from her by Karim at last year’s meeting in Tunis. 

The 25-year-old Karim will be eager to produce yet another upset at the Athletics Stadium Rades. 

Talent and titles in Tunis

There is also an exciting crop of talent ready to make their mark on the big stage in Tunis.

French athletes Yasser Musanganya (19 years old), Thibaulty Daurat (20), and Paul Singer (22) could complete a clean sweep of podium positions in the men’s 100m T54 race.  

Most recently, at the Grand Prix in Paris two weeks ago, Musanganya and Singer secured silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the 100m T54 event, while Daurat recorded a seasonal best in the same final.

Could this season turn into a successful rehearsal for next year’s Paris 2023 World Para Athletics Championships? The French trio will certainly benefit from their experiences competing on the Grand Prix circuit. 

The women’s shot put F32 competition will also see plenty of talent and big names in action. Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Mounia Gasmi of Algeria and multiple-Paralympic champion Maroua Ibrahmi of Tunisia are set to compete in the F32 class.

They will face competition from the likes of Thekra Alkaabi. The 20-year-old prodigy from the United Arab Emirates won bronze at the season opener in Dubai in March. 

How to follow the Tunisia Grand Prix

More information about the Tunisia 2022 World Para Athletics Grand Prix can be found here. 

Tunisia 2022 will be streamed live on World Para Athletics Facebook page. 

You can follow the results and behind-the-scenes footage on the World Para Athletics social media channels on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.