India’s para-athletes shone brightly at the Dubai 2026 Grand Prix – Fazza International Para Athletics Championships, topping the medal tally with 43 medals. Held at the Dubai Club for People of Determination from February 13-17, the event drew 500 athletes from 56 countries, marking the season’s first World Para Athletics Grand Prix. Stars like two-time Paralympic champion Sumit Antil grabbed gold in men’s javelin F64, his favorite venue. Paris 2024 gold medalists Navdeep (javelin F41) and Dharambir Nain (club throw F51) also won gold, setting a strong tone. Preeti Pal, a Paris double bronze winner, claimed gold in women’s 100m T35 (14.32s) and bronze in 200m T35, vowing more golds ahead.
Bhagyashri M. Jadhav made an emotional comeback, winning golds in women’s shot put F34 and javelin F34 after Tokyo and Paris stints. Other golds came from Rinku Hooda (javelin F46), Varun Singh Bhati (high jump T42), Dilip Mahadu Gavit (400m T46), and Sahil Salim Saiyyad (discus F54/55).
India’s haul: 16 gold, 13 silver (Sunil Kumar, Pranav Soorma, Gurubaskarase Sakkappan), 14 bronze (Ranjit Chanda, Poonma Ram, Fatima Khatoon, Dipesh Kumar). Colombia (11 gold, 20 total) and Kenya (6 gold, 20 total) trailed, with hosts UAE fourth (6 gold, 31 total).
This win builds confidence before India hosts the next Grand Prix in New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. It shows India’s para-athletics depth, eyeing world championships.
FAQs [Frequently Asked Questions]
1. What was India’s medal tally in Dubai 2026?
India topped with 43 medals: 16 gold, 13 silver, 14 bronze at the Fazza Para Athletics Grand Prix.
2. Who were key gold medal winners?
Sumit Antil (javelin F64), Navdeep, Dharambir Nain, Preeti Pal (100m T35), Bhagyashri Jadhav (shot put, javelin F34).
3. How did India compare to others?
India led; Colombia 20 medals (11 gold), Kenya 20 (6 gold), UAE 31 (6 gold) placed fourth.
4. Why is this win significant?
Boosts confidence for season; India hosts next Grand Prix in New Delhi, showing squad depth.