The Indian challenge will be led by reigning Paris 2024 Paralympic javelin champions Sumit Antil (F64) and Navdeep (F41), with the 50-member squad also featuring two-time Paris 2024 medallist Preeti Pal and women’s 200m T12 bronze medallist Simran.
File Photo: IANS
India will begin its 2026 para-athletics season on a high-profile note as a strong national contingent lines up at the 17th Fazza International Para Athletics Championships – Dubai 2026, the season-opening Para Athletics Grand Prix being held at the Dubai Club for People of Determination.
The Indian challenge will be led by reigning Paris 2024 Paralympic javelin champions Sumit Antil (F64) and Navdeep (F41), with the 50-member squad also featuring two-time Paris 2024 medallist Preeti Pal and women’s 200m T12 bronze medallist Simran.
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The championships present a key opportunity for Indian athletes to build momentum and achieve qualification standards ahead of a busy year that includes the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in July and the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games in October.
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The Fazza Championships will see nearly 500 athletes from 56 nations compete in the first major international outing of the season, making it a crucial early test for India’s Paralympic stars.
India’s athletes will face a strong international field, including Belgium’s Maxime Carabin, a double Paris 2024 Paralympic champion and five-time world champion, and Canada’s Austin Smeenk, who won gold in the men’s 800m T34 and bronze in the 100m T34 at the Paris Games.
The hosts, UAE, will field a 65-member squad featuring several Paralympic and world championship medallists, ensuring stiff competition across track and field events.
“My preparations have been good for the new season. I am aiming for a strong performance at the home event and throughout the season ahead. The Asian Para Games will be the main target,” said UAE’s Mohammed Youssef Othman, one of the leading contenders, underlining the level of competition Indian athletes can expect.
With qualification points, early-season form and confidence at stake, the Fazza International Championships are expected to play a significant role in shaping India’s para-athletics campaign for 2026. The meet will conclude on February 13.
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