World Para Athletics 2017: Morocco Wins 2 Golds, More to Come

Morocco’s team taking part in the World Para Athletics Championships currently held in London has so far won 2 medals and more are expected to come.

The first gold medal was grabbed by Sanaa Benhama in the Women’s 1500m T13 with a 4:40.40 timing. Tunisian defending champion Soumaya Boussaid finished 2nd clocking 4:40.89 ahead of her compatriot Najah Chouaya (4:46.16).

The 2nd gold medal was gained by Youssef Benibrahim who claimed his first world title in emphatic style, smashing the 5,000m T13 world record.

The 33-year-old has finished on the podium at each of the last three World Championships but this time there was no denying his determination to make it to the top as he held off Tunisia’s Paralympic bronze medalist Bilel Aloui in a terrific sprint to the line, finishing in 14:20.69.

Morocco’s El Amin Chentouf had led for much of the race, having set a fast early pace, but with two laps to go and the pressure starting to mount he dropped out, leaving Benibrahim with a perfect opportunity to go for gold and he did.

Tunisian contender Aloui finished 2nd with a silver medal, while bronze went to Canadian Guillame Ouellet (14:23.24).

Morocco is participating in the World Handicapped Athletics Championships in London with 14 athletes.

The London Para athletics championships opened last Friday and will run until Sunday, 23 July. Over 280,000 tickets have been sold for these Championships, making them the best attended para athletics championships in history.

A total of 1,074 athletes from 91 nations are competing, with 213 medal events.