Tokyo, Japan, September 4, 2021: Adbulla Sultan Alaryani became one of the most decorated Paralympians for the United Arab Emirates when he struck the first gold for his country at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
The veteran shooter won gold in the men’s 50 metre rifle three positions SH1 at the Asaka Shooting Range on Saturday, September 4. Alaryani finished with a total of 453.6 points, while defending champion Laslo Suranji of Serbia finished just 0.7 points behind to claim silver. The bronze went to Korea’s Shim Young Jip.
It was the 51-year-old Alaryani’s second gold after London 2012, and fourth Paralympic medal in all having won two silver medals at Rio 2016.
“After our able-bodied athletes returned empty-handed from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the onus was on us to perform and shine at the Paralympic Games. This medal is for our leadership and UAE community,” Alaryani said.
He added: “This surely was the toughest competition I have faced. And this time I’m even happier than ever after the challenges I’ve been through in the last four years in my physical and technical aspect. I wasn’t sure if I could sustain the score I made in my previous Paralympics but I made it.
“This is one of the biggest things that has happened to me. I am very satisfied and proud of myself.”
Alaryani earned a pat on the back from UAE Paralympic vice president Majid Rashed.
“It is a big day in UAE Paralympic history. This is the first gold for the nation in the Tokyo 2020 Games. We are very happy that Abdulla could show yet again that age is just a number and that he is the best in the business as he won gold after his London 2012 title,” Rashed said.
“We hope that this gold will inspire many youngsters to take up Para sports not just in the UAE but in the entire West Asia region, and develop the movement. We congratulate Abdulla, his coaches, family and everyone in the Federation for their support in his journey,” Rashed added.
