Ktila completes four wins from four races in Tunis

Multiple Paralympic and world champion Walid Ktila rounded off his winning week on home soil with victory in the 400m T33/34 on Wednesday (25 March), the third and final day of competition at the IPC Athletics Grand Prix in Tunis, Tunisia, which doubles as the 9th Tunis International Meeting.

The 29-year-old won all four of the events he took part in over the three days of track and field action at the Rades Athletics Stadium. His final event of the meeting, the 400m, proved another straight forward victory for the world record holder, who triumphed in 53.97.

Tunisia’s Fethi Zouinkhi also continued his successful week on the track with a win in the men’s 100m T51/52/53/54 to add to his victory over 1,500m the previous day. The 28-year-old clocked 15.72 to finish 0.06 seconds ahead of Algeria’s Maamar Harachif, with Saudi Arabia’s Fahad Alganaidi in third.

Algeria claimed the top two spots in the men’s 400m T36/37/43/44 as Sofiane Hamdi (T37) also claimed his second victory at the Tunis Grand Prix. The world silver medallist took the win in 55.10 with Sid Ali Bouzourine (T36) second in 1:00.08.

Winner over 100m on day two in Tunis, Nigeria’s Unyime Uwak (T47) sealed her sprint double with a win in the 200m T36/38/47, her time of 28.57 nearly two seconds clear of Tunisia’s Sonia Mansour (T38).

There was an Angolan one-two in the men’s 400m T11 as Jose Chamoleia crossed the line in 55.94 with his compatriot Fernando Simao finishing in second place. In the 400m T12 victory went to Algeria’s Djamil Nasser in 52.72, whilst in the 400m T13 event Tunisia’s Achraf Lahouel came out on top with a time of 51.18.

There was a win for Rwanda courtesy of Hermas Muvunyi in the men’s 400m T46, clocking 51.25, and Tunisia’s Mohamed Fouzai crossed the line first in the men’s 400m T47 in 51.63.

In the absence of world and Paralympic champion El Amin Chentouf of Morocco, who chose to focus on preparing for the defence of his title at April’s IPC Athletics Marathon World Championships, Kenya dominated the men’s 5,000m T11/12, claiming the top four places. Hillary Kibet Kemboi (T12) was first home in a time of 15:24.7 (manual timing).

Out in the field, Tunisia’s Hania Aidi (F54) added victory in the shot put F52/53/54 to her win in the javelin two days ago. Aidi scored 753 points with a throw of 6.07m, just two points – and one centimetre – ahead of her compatriot Fadhila Nafati who had to settle for second once again.

Algeria’s Nassima Saifi got the better of countrywoman Safia Djelal - who set a new world record in the javelin F55/56/57 on Monday - winning the women’s discus F55/56/57 with 996 points to Djelal’s 863. Another impressive Algerian thrower, Nadia Medjmedj, finished third.

There was no surprise as Tunisia’s Paralympic and world club throw champion Maroua Ibrahmi (F32) notched up her second win of the week, adding victory in the women’s club throw F32/51 to her win in the shot put two days ago.

Ibrahmi dominated proceedings, scoring 1001 points (23.28m) to get the better of Mounia Gasmi (F32) once again. The Algerian did taste victory too however, winning the women’s discus F32/33 with a score of 861 points and a best of 11.20m.

Nigeria’s Laurrita Onye (F40) saw off a talented field in the women’s discus F40/41 as Tunisia’s Raja Jebali (F40) and the world champion Raoua Tlili (F41) finished second and third respectively, with world silver medallist Fathia Amaima (F41) fourth.

Algeria’s Mohamed Nadjib Amchi (F31) also took a major scalp, getting the better of world champion Lahouari Bahlaz (F32)in the men’s club throw F31/32/51 with his final attempt of 22.27 (914 points). Fellow Algerian Bahlaz finished in second place with 845 points (30.95m). Saudi Arabia’s Radhi Alharthi (F51) was third.

There was another victory for Algeria this time thanks to Paralympic bronze medallist Kamel Kardjena (F33) who won the javelin F33/34 ahead of Tunisia’s Faouzi Rzig (F34), with a score of 836 points.

The 2015 IPC Athletics Grand Prix series now heads to Beijing, China next month, with further events taking place in Sao Paolo, Brazil; Mesa, USA; Nottwil, Switzerland; Grosseto, Italy and Berlin, Germany before the Grand Prix Final in London, Great Britain in July.