Muscat: Omani national team athlete for persons with disabilities, Mohammed al Mashaykhi, achieved a remarkable feat by securing two medals at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, held in New Delhi, India, from March 9 to 15. Al Mashaykhi clinched the gold medal in the club throw event with a distance of 31.67 metres and added a silver medal in the shot put event with a throw of 9.45 metres.
With this achievement, Oman concluded its participation in the championship with a total of four medals — two gold, one silver and one bronze. Earlier, Omani national team athlete Taha bin Abdullah al Harrasi had won two medals: a gold in the 100-metre sprint and a bronze in long jump.
Mohammed al Hinai, head of Oman's delegation to the Para Athletics Grand Prix, expressed his immense happiness with the achievements of the national team players. He highlighted that winning four medals — two gold, one silver and one bronze — at one of the world's most competitive championships, featuring over 280 athletes from 20 countries, is a testament to the progress of disability sports in Oman. He emphasised that this success is a result of the diligent efforts and strategic planning by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth, represented by the Omani Paralympic Committee, to develop this sport and strengthen Omani athletes' presence in international competitions.
Al Hinai also noted that the competition was tough, as the athletes faced fierce rivals from around the world. He acknowledged that adapting to external conditions and overcoming technical challenges played a crucial role in the competition. However, the intensive preparations and training camps helped equip the athletes optimally, enabling them to achieve this milestone. He added that these results provide a strong boost for the national team as they prepare for upcoming tournaments, particularly the West Asian Games, which Muscat will host in 2026. The next phase will focus on specialised training camps and leveraging international expertise to enhance the athletes' technical and physical performance.
Furthermore, Al Hinai affirmed that the Omani Paralympic Committee is continuously working to provide the necessary support for athletes through overseas training camps and participation in major championships, which contribute to refining their skills and boosting their confidence. He stressed that the ultimate goal is to secure more achievements and elevate Oman’s name in international sports.
INTENSIVE EFFORTS
Mohammed Al Mashaykhi stated that this achievement is the result of intensive efforts and continuous training camps under the supervision of the coaching staff. He acknowledged the fierce competition, with elite world champions taking part, but emphasised that thorough preparation and determination played a key role in securing this prestigious result.
Al Mashaykhi added that these medals mean a lot to him, serving as a strong motivation to continue improving and preparing for future competitions. He highlighted the challenges he faced, both in terms of the high level of competition and the climatic conditions, but remained steadfast in giving his best performance.
He extended his deep gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, represented by the Omani Paralympic Committee, as well as to the coaching staff and his fellow athletes. He stressed that perseverance and hard work are the keys to success and expressed his aspiration to achieve even more accomplishments, raising Oman’s flag high in international sports arenas.
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