The sporting world watched in awe as Thekra Alkaabi from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) delivered a truly sensational performance, smashing the world record in the women’s 100m T71 frame running event. This incredible feat unfolded on the opening day of the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, immediately setting a high bar for the competition.
Alkaabi’s record-breaking time of 19.89 seconds not only earned her the gold medal but also rewrote the history books. In this unique event, athletes utilize a specialized three-wheeled running frame, complete with a saddle and body support, but notably without pedals, relying purely on their leg propulsion and agility.
At just 23 years old, Alkaabi’s performance significantly surpassed the previous world record of 20.08 seconds, previously held by Lithuania’s Bella Morkus since July. Morkus herself secured the silver medal with a time of 21.53 seconds, while Miriam Dominikowska of Poland claimed the bronze, finishing in 23.56 seconds.
This victory marks a monumental improvement for Alkaabi, whose prior personal best in the women’s 100m T71 was 23.58 seconds. Her athletic prowess isn’t limited to running; she also notably earned a bronze medal in the F32 club throw event at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games in 2023.
The T71 classification is specifically for frame runner track athletes who experience significant movement limitations in their trunk and legs, highlighting the profound impact of the specialized running frame.
Frame running, an adaptive athletic discipline formerly known as Race Running, is designed for individuals with severe coordination and balance impairments, often seen in conditions like cerebral palsy. This innovative sport allows athletes to propel themselves forward using their legs, with the wheeled frame providing crucial support for balance.
These exciting frame running events, classified as T71 and T72, were officially recognized as track disciplines by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in 2017. Despite their growing popularity, they were not featured in either the 2021 Tokyo or 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.
In contrast, the T72 classification caters to frame runner track athletes with moderate movement and coordination challenges in their trunk and legs, showcasing the diverse range of abilities supported by this sport.
Beyond frame running, the championships saw other remarkable performances. The gold in the women’s long jump T37 category was, as anticipated, clinched by Chinese world record holder Wen Xiaoyan. She set a new meet record with a phenomenal leap of 5.32m, surpassing her own previous meet record of 5.22m from the 2019 championships.
Xiaoyan’s incredible talent is further highlighted by her standing world record of 5.45m, achieved at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games.
Anais Angeline of Mauritius earned the silver medal with a jump of 4.59m, while Jaleen Roberts of the USA secured the bronze with 4.53m.
The T37 classification is specifically for athletes with cerebral palsy that impacts their coordination.
In a surprising turn of events in the women’s shot put F41 category, designed for athletes of short stature, Ariza Buitrago Mayerli of Colombia delivered a stunning performance. She overcame the formidable challenge of Tunisia’s Raoua Tlili, a multiple Paralympic and Para World Championships gold medalist and world record holder, to claim the gold.
Mayerli’s winning throw measured an impressive 10.21m. Kubaro Khakimova of Uzbekistan secured the silver with 10.17m, while Tlili, despite holding the world record of 10.55m, settled for the bronze with a throw of 9.96m.
The women’s javelin throw F46 saw Noelle Roorda of the Netherlands capture her inaugural world championships gold with a throw of 43.74m. Shahinakhon Yigitalieva of Uzbekistan earned the silver with 41.97m, and Hollie Arnold of Great Britain took the bronze with 41.94m.
Representing India, Bhavanaben Ajabaji Chaudhary placed eighth in the javelin throw event with a mark of 35.34m.
In other news for India, defending champion Deepthi Jeevanji successfully advanced to the final of the women’s 400m T20 event, achieving a season-best performance.
The 22-year-old athlete from Telangana impressively clocked 58.35 seconds, leading the second heat of the opening round in this event for athletes with intellectual disabilities.