(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) As dust settles on the ninth Special Olympics MENA Games Abu Dhabi, Emirati athletes have proved their mettle by excelling in almost all sports events.
Experienced and ever-dependable Mariam Al Zaabi clinched the 1,500m gold medal adding to the 800m silver won earlier this week.
On the day, the long-distance runner breezed to the finishing line by waving to the crowd.
"I am very happy and not even tired. I was so excited with the crowd cheering me on from the stands. I'm training all the time with my coach who helps me to get faster," she said after completing her race.
Mariam is a seasoned campaigner having represented the UAE in the 2007 Summer Special Olympics World Games held in Shanghai. She won the 1,500m silver medal at the Los Angeles World Games and silver at the Winter Games in Austria for ice-skating. Maryam also competed at the Winter Games twice.
She also carried the Special Olympics flag during the signing ceremony of the 2019 Special Olympics World Games. And she has already set her next assignment.
"Hopefully I can win more medals at the World Games next year," the 29-year-old added in the same vein.
Maryam's coach Nadia Al Mesadei is ecstatic seeing the manner in which her student eased to victory.
"I've been coaching Maryam for eight years," Nadia said talking about the long partnership.
The coach said Maryam enjoyed endurance races.
"She's participated this week in the 800m race and the 1,500m (silver in 800 and gold in 1500)."
Nadia noted that over the years there has been a remarkable improvement in Mariam.
"During our training together I've seen an improvement in her social skills. She has the confidence now to go out and meet people and talk to them. Her family has always supported her since she was young."
Both the coach and her student have ambitions to bring more laurels to the UAE.
Among other action on the final day, the UAE lost a hard-fought final basketball final against Saudi Arabia.
Until the final quarter, players pushed each other to the limit but then Saudi Arabia won 43-33.
Saudi player Mohammad Mousa was thrilled after securing a tough victory.
"We were thrilled to have made it to the final but to beat the UAE, which were one of the strongest teams in the competition, is something special. It was not an easy game as the UAE have great players," Mousa said.
The three days of celebrations happen to see great participation from the general public. The UAE-Saudi Arabia final saw people shouting and singing from the stands.
"All of the fans wanted to make the final game extra special for the athletes. Even though the game was competitive and only one team could win, it was important for the players to feel the love and support of everyone who came to watch," said Thamer Al Khan, who supported the UAE but cheered as Saudi Arabia won the game.
In the other basketball finals, Chinese Taipei secured a narrow 51-49 win over Egypt.
In the finals of the powerlifting, Libya's Ammar Al Shatshat took home the gold after lifting a combined weight of 507.5kg in division M6 of the bench, deadlift and squat while Qatar's Hamad Al Jaber took the silver for a combined lift of 412.5kg.
Emirati athletes Ahmed Al Honsani and Hamad Al Ali won fourth and fifth place respectively in division M6, with Ahmed lifting a total of 365kg and Hamad 330kg.
In the women's competition division F3, Libya's Monia Ezawi won gold for a combined lift in the bench, deadlift and squat of 262.5kg with Hanan Al Shehyari from the UAE winning silver for a total lift of 140kg. Her compatriot Roodha Al Ahbabi won bronze with a 110kg combined lift.
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