India’s para athletics squad has unleashed a medal frenzy at the Dubai Grand Prix-Fazza Championship, seizing the top spot with 43 podium finishes: 16 gold, 13 silver, 14 bronze. This powerhouse showing at the first Grand Prix of the season reaffirms India’s status as a para sports juggernaut.
Rivals Columbia (11 golds, 20 total) and Kenya (6 golds, 20 total) put up fights, but UAE’s 6 golds in 31 medals landed them fourth. The Dubai Club for People of Determination venue buzzed with energy as athletes from around the world competed fiercely.
Star thrower Sumit Antil kicked things off with F64 javelin gold. Navdeep, Paris gold medalist, dominated F41 javelin, while Dharmabir Nain powered to victory in club throw F51. The trio’s wins epitomize India’s field event mastery.
Sprinter Preeti Pal, Paris double bronze winner, sprinted to 100m T35 gold and 200m T35 bronze, extending her winning streak. ‘Improving my PB and more golds for India—that’s the plan. This is only the start,’ she vowed.
In a heartfelt moment, Bhagyashri M. Jadhav swept shot put F34 and javelin F34 golds. A Paralympic veteran from Tokyo and Paris, she enthused, ‘Eight to ten years in the game, but Dubai felt special. Best ever—now targeting world champs gold.’
Further golds lit up for Rinku Hooda (javelin F46), Varun Singh Bhati (high jump T42), Dilip Mahadu Gavit (400m T46), and Sahil Salim Sayyed (discus F54/55). Standout silvers from Sunil Kumar, Pranav Surma, Gurubhaskarse Sakkappan; bronzes to Ranjit Chanda, Poonam Ram, Fatima Khatun, Deepesh Kumar et al.
Hosting the next event in Delhi, India builds on this Fazza legacy—a vital circuit stop. Topping the table here fortifies their campaign for upcoming internationals.