Meet the Emirati athletes heading for the Paris Paralympic Games

Precisely 17 days since bidding adieu to the Olympics, Paris will be back in the spotlight as its maiden Paralympic Games begins at Place de la Concorde.

An estimated 65,000 spectators are expected on the evening of August 28 when up to 4,400 medal hopefuls parade along the Champs-Elysees to the French capital’s largest public square.

A total of 549 medals are up for grabs across 22 sports as 11 days of action illuminate the City of Light. France’s only previous hosting of Paralympic competition came in 1992.

Leading the 13-strong UAE team in the Games – that finish on September 8 – will be star shooter Abdullah Sultan Al Aryani who will be looking to win his third gold medal following his triumphs at London 2012 and Tokyo 2020. Al Aryani also secured three silvers at the Rio Games in 2016.

Here is the full list of UAE competitors taking part in the Paris Games.

Abdullah Sultan Al Aryani (Shooting)

Al Aryani made his Paralympic debut at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and heads to Paris for his fifth Games. He struck gold in his second attempt at London 2012 and followed it up with three silvers at Rio and another gold in Tokyo.

He will be one of the favourites once again and is expected to add to his medal collection in Paris.

Saif Al Nuaimi (Shooting)

Hopes to be third time lucky after Rio and Tokyo, where he finished a creditable sixth. He also qualified for London 2012 but had to drop out due to personal reasons.

Obaid Al Dahmani (Shooting)

Returns after missing out on the Tokyo Paralympics. He wasn’t successful in reaching the medal rounds in his two attempts in London and Rio but is aiming for a podium finish in Paris.

Ayesha Al Muhairi (Shooting)

As the first Emirati female Paralympian in shooting, she is hoping to use the experience gained in Tokyo to good effect this time around. Al Mehairi is aiming for a top-eight finish in Paris. “Shooting is not only a game, it’s in my blood, it gave me a chance,” she said in an interview with The National in July.

Ayesha Al Shamsi (Shooting)

An athlete with Tetra-Amelia syndrome, a rare disorder characterised by the absence of all four limbs, Al Shamsi tugs a cord attached to her toe to release the trigger. “I want Arab people to see me. I want them to see they also can shoot, they can do archery, they can do everything," she said in an interview with The National.

Mohammed Othman (Wheelchair racing)

Is understudy to Al Hammadi and competes in the same category as his more illustrious teammate in the 100m and 800m after qualifying from the Nottwil Grand Prix earlier this year.

Mohamed Al Hammadi (Wheelchair racing)

Was successful in his Paralympic debut, securing a silver and bronze in the T34 category in the 200m and 100m, respectively, at London 2012. He then won gold in the 800m at Rio and returned with another silver (800m) and bronze (100m) at Tokyo. UAE's flag-bearer in Tokyo is expected to increase his medal tally at Paris.

Ahmed Al Badwawi (Cycling)

Inspired by Ahmad Al Mansoori as the first Emirati cyclist to qualify for a Paralympic Games at Tokyo 2020, Al Badwawi will be looking to raise the bar in the men’s individual road time trial.

Mohammed Al Kaabi (Shot Put)

Confident of making an impact on his Paralympic debut. Having made his international appearance in the IPC Athletics World Championship in Lyon in 2013, Al Kaabi has come a long way to earn the ticket in the shot put in his Paralympic Games debut.

Thekra Al Kaabi (Shot Put)

Making her Paralympic Games debut in the shot putt F32 category having won a bronze medal at the Asian Para Games in China.

Maryam Al Zeyoudi (Shot Put)

She earned a direct qualification after winning the women’s F40 shot put at the Kobe Para Athletics World Championships earlier this year. For Al Zeyoudi, it’s her second Paralympic Games after Tokyo, and she will be aiming for a medal.

Noura Al Ketbi (Shot Put)

A silver medallist in the shot put F32 in Rio 2016, Al Ketbi just failed to replicate that effort when finishing fourth at Tokyo. She is confident of bringing home another medal.

Maryam Al Dhanhani (Judo)

Is the first Emirati female to represent in judo at the Paralympics after collecting enough ranking points from six competitions. She won silver in Finland in June followed by fourth spot at the Asian Para Games in China, seventh in Azerbaijan, fifth in Japan, and eighth in Georgia to book her place in Paris.