HIGHLIGHTS-
- Sprinter Pranav Desai clinches gold India at the Dubai 2022 World Para Athletics Grand Prix.
- The blade runner Desai led from start to finish.
- He won by beating Thailand’s Denpoom Kotcharang and Norway’s Kenneth Jenssen Heggdal.
Sprinter Pranav Prashant Desai saved the blushes for India at the Dubai 2022 World Para Athletics Grand Prix. On the second day of competitions, the star sprinter Desai clinched the gold medal in the men’s 200m T64 final.
India now has four medals and is ranked 15th in the world. Players with leg amputees who play standing with the prosthesis are classified as T64. However, it was the only medal for India on the day as throwers faltered at the Dubai Club for People of Determination grounds.
Blade runner Desai led from start to finish
The blade runner Desai led from start to finish, clocking a time of 24.42 seconds to beat Thailand’s Denpoom Kotcharang (25.78 seconds) and Norway’s Kenneth Jenssen Heggdal (27.08 sec).
After the win, the sprinter stated, “I came here with the goal of winning gold in mind, and I’m delighted to have led the race from start to finish. It’s good to be back in this place. For the past few months, I’ve been focusing on increasing my endurance speed. I’m excited to put my plans into action here.
“Goal is to win gold for India in the Asian Para Games”
Further, the sprinter added, my goal is to win gold for India in the 100m and 200m in the Asian Para Games, which will help me qualify for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.