Dubai: Aysha Salem Bani Khalid provided the silver lining while Thuraya Al Za’abi claimed a bronze for the UAE on the final day of the ninth Fazza World Para-Athletics Championship Dubai 2017 that concluded at the Dubai Club for the Disabled on Thursday.

The addition of Bani Khalid’s medal saw the hosts increase their haul to 21 medals on the final day that witnessed the fall of two more world records, another two African and three Asian records.

The UAE finished with five gold and silver medals and another eleven bronze medals for a total of 21 medals in addition to winning two junior events. At the end of four days of competition, a total of 29 records were broken including seven world records, 11 African, six Asian, four European and one Oceania record.

Thani Juma Berregad, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Fazza World Para Athletics Championships, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the event.

“We have every reason to be proud because 29 records were broken making this a perfect launch pad for our new stadium. Even our local stars sparkled in this new venue as they competed against world and Paralympic champions making a strong bid to get ranking points and give themselves the chance of qualifying for the World Championships in London,” Berregad said.

Thursday’s medal was Bani Khalid’s second silver adding to her second place in the javelin throw on the third day. The UAE athlete had a throw of 10.72 metres in the discus wheelchair women’s F32/33 final.

Thuraya Al Za’abi claimed her third bronze of the competition adding to her third place finishes in the discus and javelin throws. The UAE athlete had a final throw of 5.57m in the shot put wheelchair women’s F34 final that was won by Great Britain’s Vanessa Wallace, while Kuwait’s Basimah Najim took the silver.

Latvia’s Aigars Apinis set a new world and European record in the discus wheelchair men’s F51/52 final with his first good throw of 21.91 meters. Slovakia’s Marian Kureja (10.03 metres) took silver, while Saudi Arabia Radhi Al Harthi (9.48 metres) bagged the bronze.

The European and African records were set in the discus wheelchair men’s F57 final with Azerbaijan’s Samir Nabiyev clinching gold (46.67 metres) ahead of Egypt’s Metawa Abouelkhir (46.63 metres). Czech Republic’s Jaroslav Petrous (34.96 metres) took the bronze.

Held under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council (DSC), the season-opening World Para-Athletics Dubai Grand Prix attracted 386 athletes representing 41 countries.