Fathun and Razzaq to represent Maldives in Paralympic Games

Fathimath Ibrahim and Abdul Razzaq have both secured spots at the Paralympic Games which is held shortly after each Olympic Games in the same host city.

The two visually impaired runners, who are ranked as the top athletes in the Maldives, were given this opportunity due to their exceptional performance and status in the sport.

The Paralympic Games, organized by the International Olympic Committee, is a multisport event dedicated to athletes with disabilities. This year's Games are set to be hosted in Paris, France, which recently hosted the Olympic games.

Fathimath had previously competed in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, held in 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions. This marked the first instance of Maldivian representation in the Paralympics.

Competing in the Paralympic Games held in Tokyo, Japan, the athlete finished the racing event as the first-ever local Paralympian to complete a race. Additionally, the athlete won a bronze medal at the Indian Ocean Island Games held in Madagascar last year.

The male athlete who represented the Maldives in the Paralympic Games in 2021 was Mohamed Mazin.

This year's male athlete, Razzaq, began his training in 2022 and participated in his first multisport competition, the Indian Ocean Island Games, a year later. He also secured a bronze medal at this tournament.

In an exclusive interview with Mihaaru News, Razzaq expressed that winning a medal for the Maldives remains one of his greatest aspirations. He revealed that he has three major goals; securing a medal in an international event, earning a spot in the Paralympic Games, and learning the Quran by heart to advance to the Hafiz level. Razzaq noted that he has already achieved two of these targets.

Fathun and Razzaq are scheduled to depart for France next Tuesday. Both Razzaq and his coaching team are currently based in Hulhumalé, preparing for the upcoming Paralympics.