Triumph and Tenacity of MENA Athletes at 2024 Paralympics
The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games came to a close on Sunday, September 8, showcasing the remarkable talent and resilience of athletes from all over the world. This year, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region made a significant impact. From record-breaking performances to inspiring stories of struggle and perseverance, MENA athletes demonstrated their strength across the board, earning numerous medals for their nations and setting new world records. This article delves into the achievements of these exceptional athletes, highlighting their contributions to the Paralympic movement and their countries.
What Challenges Did MENA Paralympians Face?
Athletes from the MENA region faced a range of unique challenges that could have hindered their progress and participation in the Paralympic Games. One of the primary obstacles was having limited access to training facilities. For example, Yemen has struggled to provide adequate sports infrastructure due to ongoing conflicts within the country and political instability. The ongoing war in Yemen has left about 80% of sports facilities in the nation non-operational, according to the Yemeni Olympic Committee. Instead, they’ve had to rent modest training facilities that do not have the proper equipment for infrastructure for athletes.
This severely impacted the availability of specialized training facilities for athletes with disabilities. Since 2014, more than 150,000 people have been killed in the war in Yemen, causing a humanitarian crisis. This war has ripple effects throughout the country, making engagement in sports a challenge.
What MENA Nations Excelled at the Paralympics?
Morocco was the most successful country in the region with 15 medals including three gold medals. This marked Morocco’s best year yet at the Paralympics, surpassing the seven medals won in Beijing and Rio and the 11 in Tokyo. The gold medals were claimed by Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi in the T12 marathon, Aymane El Haddaouit in the T47 400m, and Mouncef Bouja in the T12 400m.
Algeria topped the region’s medal wins with six gold medals. Brahmin Guendouz won Africa’s first-ever Paracanoe gold medal, making history for not just Algeria but for Africa. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria congratulated Guendouz on winning the gold medal in the KL3 200m kayak event.
Tunisia’s Raoua Tilli cemented her place in history winning two gold medals in the F41 discus throw and shot put. This event marked her fifth consecutive gold medal in shot put at her fifth Paralympic games ever. She is 4’4”, making shot put even more difficult given her short stature, but she showcased her talent by winning gold for not just herself but for her country.
Furthermore, Iran excelled in sitting volleyball, winning the gold medal. This marked their eighth Paralympic title in this discipline and Just like in 1988, 1992, 2000, 2008, 2016, 2021, and now 2024, Iran showcased its undisputed dominance in sitting volleyball at the Paralympics.
MENA Athlete Wins at the 2024 Paralympics
Iran
- Sareh Javanmardi: Gold in Women’s 10m Air Pistol SH1
- Aliakbar Gharibshahi: Gold in the Men’s Powerlifting -107kg
- Saeid Afrooz: Gold in Men’s Javelin Throw F34
Morocco
- Ayoub Sadni: Silver in Men’s 400m T47
- Karim Youssra: Gold in Women’s Discus Throw F41
- Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi: Gold in Women’s Marathon T12
Algeria
- Skander Djamil Athmani: Gold in both Men’s 100m and 400m T13
- Safia Djelal: Gold in Women’s Shot Put F57
- Nassima Saifi: Gold in Women’s Discus Throw F57
Tunisia
- Wajdi Boukhili: Gold in Men’s Marathon T12
- Raoua Tlili: Gold in Women’s Discus Throw F41 and Shot Put F41
- Maroua Ibrahmi: Gold in Women’s Club Throw F32
Egypt
- Rehab Ahmed: Gold in Women’s Powerlifting -55kg
- Mohamed Elmenyawy: Gold in Men’s Powerlifting -59kg
- Fatma Elyan: Silver in Women’s Powerlifting -67kg
Jordan
- Abdelkareem Mohmmad Ahmad Khattab: Gold in Men’s Powerlifting -97kg
- Omar Sami Hamadeh Qarada: Gold in Men’s Powerlifting -49
- Ahmad Hindi: Bronze in Men’s Shot Put F34
Iraq
- Najlah Al-Dayyeni: Gold in Women’s Singles Table Tennis W56
- Ammar Ali, Zainulabdeen Al-Madhkhoori, Hayder Al-Ogaili: Silver in Men’s Epee Team Fencing
- Rasool Mohsin: Bronze in Men’s Powerlifting -80kg
Further Reading
- 10 Female Athletes Who Made History at the 2024 Paris Paralympics
- Who Are the Arab Athletes Competing at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games?
- History-Making Refugee Paralympic Team Shows the Power of Sport to Inspire
- The odds are Stacked Against athletes from Poor Countries in Paralympic Sport
- War at Home is Taking its Toll on the Only Palestinian Athlete at the Paralympic Games