Sharjah 2019: Records fall on athletics field

The International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Games concluded in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a flurry of records* falling on the athletics field on Saturday (16 February).

South Africa’s Simone Kruger won gold with a new African record in the women’s discus F/3738/44/46. Her throw of 31.77m (960 points) broke the F38 record of teammate Roxanne Burns from 2005.

Croatia’s Ivan Katanusic threw his way to gold in the men’s discus F42/43/44/62/63/64. Katanusic’s fourth attempt of 57.15m (974 points) was the difference between him and his competitors and established a European record.

Greece’s Ioannis Sevdikalis established a new F62 world record lower down the field with a 26.08m throw.

Algeria’s Mounia Gasmi (11.57m, 918 points) topped the podium in the women’s discus F32/33/54. The UAE’s Aishah Salem Alkhaaldi (12.15m, 832 points) took the silver as well as a new F33 Asian record. India’s Sadhana Mallick (13.45m, 671 points) was third.

The UAE’s Noura Alktebi established a new F32 Asian record of 8.76m despite just finishing off the podium.

The hosts enjoyed double podium success after Mohammed Al Kaabi (38.37m, 887 points) and Abbad Abbad Ali (38.70m, 595 points) grabbed gold and silver, respectively in the men’s discus F35/3637/46.

On the track, the men’s 100m T54 delivered gold for Saudi Arabia, as Jamaan Alzahrani crossed the line in 14.88 seconds for the win.

The men’s T53 dash saw Thailand’s Pongsakorm Paeyo take the tape in 15.75 seconds to seal gold.

Swimming

India won three out of six golds on offer in the pool on the closing day, topping the medals table in the sport with 10 golds, eight silver and nine bronze overall.

Narayan Suyash Jadhav (534 points) triumphed in the men’s 200m individual medley for lower class swimmers. In the higher class men’s 200m individual medley for SM8-SM10 swimmers, Chetan Giridhar Raut (419 points) led two of his teammates onto the podium. Punith Nandakumar (410 points) claimed silver. Afrid Mukhatar (395 points) rounded off the top three.

Nandakumar also won the men’s 50m butterfly earlier in the session with 399 points.

Archery

Ouk Soo Lee continued South Korea’s success in in the men’s compound open. He finished ahead of Sun Kil Go who edged Hyun Ju Kweon into bronze.

In the men’s W1 South Korea swept the board. Hong Jo Park took the title ahead of Dong Sub Koo.

The women’s recurve open was led by India’s Pooja Pooja with Thailand’s Wasana Khutawisab claiming silver.

The men’s recurve open saw victory for Thailand courtesy of Manreuchai Netsiri. South Korea’s Geonhwi Kwak took the silver and Boonvarit Chaipoon secured bronze and another podium finish for Thailand.

The games took place over six days, featuring more than 500 athletes from 50 countries competing in seven sports – athletics, swimming, archery, badminton, shooting, table tennis and wheelchair fencing.

Full results are available at the IWAS website.

*Subject to ratification by World Para Athletics