The 7th Fazza Para Archery World Ranking Tournament- Dubai 2021 got off to a good start with archers sharing their excitement to compete after a long gap of more than a year.
More than 70 Para archers from 11 nations were in action with qualification (ranking) rounds for Recurve Men’s and Women’s Open, Compound Men’s and Women’s Open, Combined W1 taking place on the opening day.
Iran’s London 2012 Paralympic champion Zahra Nemati who finished in top position in Recurve Women’s Open ranking round with a score of 620 was happy to return to competition after a long time.
"In regard to my preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, this is a very important competition and the score is good to start with. But I faced difficultly with the wind. I hope I can come out with better performance tomorrow."
France’s Guillaume Toucoullet wants to take back the pleasure of competing at his first Fazza Championships.
"I was excited to compete today as this is my first time here at Fazza Championships. I am happy with the way I shoot today. I want to take the pleasure and enjoy the competition. I will look to secure a quota for France at Czech Republic. When I go back home, I will work hard to improve my technique," said Toucoullet from France who qualified in the top position with a score of 620 in Men’s Recurve Open event.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s Oznur Cure who took the second spot in Compound Women’s Open qualification round with 673 score appreciated the environment at the Championships.
"I really enjoyed the qualification round. Everything was perfect – the environment, the weather, safety measures. My main aim here is to be champion and to show everyone what a disabled person can achieve.
Swirling wind made conditions tough
India’s Indonesia 2018 Asian Para Games gold medallist Harvinder Singh was happy to be in the shooting line after a long time. But he said "the condition was difficult today with the swirling wind making the shooting tough in the morning".
"I didn’t get my desired result today. We should have got more practice sessions to be adjusted to the wind here. It should be same for everyone shooting this morning here."
Singh qualified in the third place in Men’s Recurve Open with a score of 607, finishing one place ahead of compatriot Vivek Chikara who had a score of 603.
Meanwhile, Slovakia’s former world no. 1 Marcel Pavlik admitted that he was "little nervous" to compete after a long time.
"It’s after one year that I was competing. The lockdown was not good as I couldn’t train much and had to stay home. I am happy to compete again internationally and this competition will serve as a preparation for Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The target definitely is to win the Gold again," said the last year’s champion who qualified third with 677 score.
Ukraine’s Serhiy Atamanenko and India’s Shyam Sundar Swami took the first and second places in rankings with 618 score in Men’s Compound Open event.
"The wind definitely made the condition tough. I was expecting a better score than this. I will try for the Gold medal," said Shyam Sundar.
World Archery official gives ‘thumbs up’ to Dubai
Chairman of Para Archery Committee at World Archery Dominique Ohlmann was very satisfied with all arrangements Dubai had put in place to host the Fazza Championships amid the Pandemic.
"We are happy to be here and plan the World Championships for next year."
"We are very confident that this Championships will be as successful as the Para Athletics Grand Prix last week. We hope that all the teams follow the rules which is also the part of safety and success of the Championships."
He also emphasised Dubai saved the Paralympic Movement and Para Archery tournaments around the world during the Corona pandemic by hosting the Fazza World Ranking Para Archery Championship for the seventh year in a row.
He also said the World Archery was looking forward to Dubai hosting a successful World Para Archery Championships next year.
"We do not have many countries in the world that can organise major international Para Archery events. Dubai and Bangkok (in Asia) are among the 10 cities in the five continents that have the ability to organise major global events. And we have great confidence in Dubai to organise an ideal tournament and expect more than 200 players to participate in the World Archery Championships next year."
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