The UAE shooters, trailing 9-15, made an incredible comeback to surprise everyone and take the gold.
“This is something special. It is also a proud moment for me and the whole UAE team to hear the national anthem on the podium. We focused on doing well and doing our best. It was an exciting final and I am very happy that we kept our composure and made it through,” said Al Mehairi, who made history when she became the first Emirati woman in shooting to qualify for the Paralympics in 2020.
Al Mehairi’s training partner at the Dubai Club, Ayesha Al Shamshi, also made it onto the podium after winning the bronze medal with partner Abdulla Alahbabi in the same event. They defeated the Kazakh pair of Aisulu Jumabayeva and Aidos Zhylkyshinov of Kazakhstan 16-12 in the bronze medal match.
On the opening day, the UAE team (1865.9) consisting of AlMehairi, AlBlooshi and Alahbabi won bronze in the R4 – Mixed 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2. France (1882.7) and Italy (1881.9) captured gold and silver.
Hailing the efforts of the Dubai Club medalists, HE Thani Juma Berregad, Chairman of the Dubai Club for People of Determination, said the shooters’ outstanding result was the result of hard work and effort at all levels.
“The participation of the players in this important championship is part of the club’s plan with the goal of qualifying for the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024,” he said, expressing his pride that the shooters of the Dubai Club have managed to participate keeping up with their Al-Ain Club shooters This sporting success is new to the club.
“We at Dubai Club for People of Determination have set goals for the trainees and players and continue to motivate them to accept and overcome challenges to raise the flag of the country. I wish and hope that these shooters continue to bring glory to the UAE national team and the country,” said Berregad.
For his part, Majid Al-Usaimi, Executive Director of Dubai Club, stressed that according to the strategy set out, Dubai Shooting is on the right track to achieve the desired goal.
“This performance reflects the close attention the wise leadership has given to the category of people of determination and the eagerness of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, to support them, which has had a positive impact on the success of these players.”
He added that Dubai Sports Council provided every support to preserve the sporting achievements made by the people of determination at the club.