Tokyo 2020 Paralympics: Meet the UAE contingent going for gold

A total of 12 Emirati athletes are going for gold as the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games get under way on Tuesday.

The hopefuls will compete in athletics, shooting, powerlifting and cycling, with lifter Mohammed Khamis and wheelchair track specialist Mohammad Al Hammadi among the big chances of brining home medals.

Here is a look at each of the athletes:

The 53-year-old has been around for a long time but is showing no signs of slowing down. With gold medals at Athens 2004 and Rio 2016 (plus a silver at Beijing 2008) Khamis is gong for a hat-trick in the men’s 88kg.

Another veteran at 51 years old, Al Aryani is participating in his third Paralympics and is hunting more success after claiming gold in 2012 and three silvers in 2016. He competes in the men’s 10m rifle standing, mixed 10m rifle prone, mixed 50m rifle prone and 50m rifle, three positions.

Our third male shooter, 43, goes in the mixed 10m rifle prone and mixed 50m rifle prone as he returns to the big stage, having missed out on the medals in Rio.

The 800m wheelchair T34 star is out to defend the title he won in Rio, and will also look to improve on his bronze at the London Games in the 100m.

The 18-year-old is the youngster of Team UAE and will compete alongside Al Hammadi in the wheelchair T34 100m and 800m.

There are not too many 40-year-old cyclists out there but Al Mansoori has high hopes in the cycling road race.

Another shot-putter, Al Ketbi, 28, competes in the F32 category where she claimed silver in Rio. She also goes in the club throw.

The UAE’s second powerlifter is making her debut at the Games at the age of 28.

Al Senani was on the podium in 2016 when she won bronze at in the F33 shot put and, now more experienced at 28, will have her eyes on the top step.

The 26-year-old is out to make an impact in the discus throw and shot put.

The 44-year-old veteran will hope experience counts as she looks to hit the mark in the mixed 10m rifle standing and mixed 10m rifle prone.