Shirlene Coelho breaks the Americas record in women’s discus throwing

Dubai, 26 February, 2014: The host country of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games – Brazil has bagged 18 medals in the 6th Fazza International Athletics IPC Grand Prix Competition 2014 at the Al Thiqa Club in Sharjah.

The Grand Prix is being organised by the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

Paralympian Shirlene Coelho who has won silver in javelin throwing in the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing set a new Americas record in the women’s discus throwing (28.26m).

Sheila Finder and Teresinha Santos won gold and silver respectively in the 100m sprint in the women’s category, while Claudinoy Batista Santos won bronze in the men’s javelin throwing on day 4 of the Championship.

Sheila said: “This is my first time competing in Dubai and I’m very happy to be a part of this Championship and to win gold for my country. I think it is a great event because it reaffirms that despite a disability people can accomplish great things.”

Her colleague Teresinha added, “It is an honour for Brazil to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We understand that the expectations from well wishers and spectators will be higher and we are training hard and hope to bring our country greater glory in 2016.”

Brazil has won 9 gold in the series in Dubai and the team plans to continue the Grand Prix Tour to 7 countries before it culminates in the finals in the UK in August.

Thani Juma Berregad - Chairman of the Supreme Organising Committee said: “This Grand Prix series in Dubai has been a success with over 700 delegates from 37 countries descending on the city to celebrate sport. Athletes have displayed a high level of skill and competition in this Championship and we were extremely pleased to host them to the UAE.”

Souad Darwish, Director of Championships added: “I would like to thank the Al Thiqa Club and the Dubai Club for the Disabled for hosting a successful Championship.

“Dubai was chosen as the venue for the Grand Prix for the second successive year and we were pleased to deliver an exceptional Championship. I would like to congratulate the winners and wish them success as they continue on the Grand Prix tour.”

After the 4 day series in Dubai, the Grand Prix moves to China, Brazil, the United States, Switzerland, Italy, Tunisia and Germany before culminating in the finals in the UK in August. The top eight athletes in each event will qualify for the finals in the UK.

Participating Countries:
Tunisia; Slovakia; Nigeria; Greece; Saudi Arabia; Mexico; Japan; Scotland;  Great Britain; Algeria; Iraq; Azerbaijan; Germany; Bulgaria; Kazakhstan; Egypt; Kuwait; Qatar; Russia; Bahrain; Sweden; Thailand; Ireland; Brazil; Cameroon; Denmark; Jordan; Lithuania; Netherlands; Switzerland; Hong Kong; Gambia; India; Oman; Syria; Mauritius  and host nation the United Arab Emirates.