UAE Paralympian Hammadi celebrates second medal success

posted on 09/09/2012: 516 views

UAE sprinter Mohammed Hammadi made sure he fulfilled his promise by winning another medal before leaving London as he clinched the bronze in the 100-metre T34 class late last night.

The 27-year-old from Sharjah had won the silver medal in the 200m last Tuesday, but was adamant on winning one more. He did it with an impressive regional record of 16.41s to finish third, behind Tunisian Walid Ktila, who pulled off the 100m-200m golden double, and Australia's Rheed McCracken.

"I was expecting this medal. I always want to do better and better and want to achieve more,” an elated Hammadi told Sport360°.

"This medal is dedicated to the UAE people who have prayed for me and stood behind me. I am so happy to be making them proud.”

In the heats, Hammadi had set a regional record of 16.42s to come second behind Ktila and he admits that gave him more confidence to go for a medal in the final.

He added: "In the heats I did really well and to be honest I was expecting to come second or third in the final. And thank God I matched my expectation and will leave London with two medals.”

Hammadi is no stranger to the big stage having won three medals at the World Championships in New Zealand last January and he says he strives to go further in every competition.

"The most important thing is making a place for myself in history,” he said. "I won two golds and a silver at the World Championships. And now I have won a silver and a bronze at the Paralympics. It's very important for me to etch my name in the history books and I am very thankful to God for that.”

The night was glorious for the Arabs at the Paralympics as Egypt's Raed Salem snatched the bronze in the men's javelin throw - F57/58 behind Iran's Mohammad Khalvandi and Brazil's Claudiney Batista dos Santos.

It gave Egypt their 15th medal of the fortnight. It was a triumphant night for Tunisia too as Raoua Tlili claimed a second medal by taking gold in the Women's Shot Put - F40 with a world-record 9.86m throw, while her compatriot Neda Bahi snagged the gold in the Women's 400m - T37 clocking 1:05.86. – Sport 360°

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