The 10th Special Olympics Regional Games for the Middle East and North Africa, hosted by Egypt from September 17 to 23, featured a strong competition in women's artistic gymnastics. The event, held at the Nadi Club in 6th of October City, saw participation from gymnasts with different abilities and classifications. The competition was supervised by Dr. Hussein Al-Besioni, a technical official for gymnastics.
Egyptian gymnast Naira Wahid excelled in the Level 1 events, winning first place on the balance beam, parallel bars, and vault. In the balance beam event, Wahid took the top spot, followed by Emirati gymnast Hania Farid in second place and Egyptian gymnast Basant Tarek in third. This consistent performance was repeated in the parallel bars event, with Wahid, Farid, and Tarek securing the top three positions.
Wahid continued her impressive performance in the vault event, securing the top spot, while Farid and Tarek followed in second and third place, respectively. However, in the floor exercise event, Farid took the lead, with Wahid in second and Tarek in third. These results showcased the competitive spirit and skill of the participating gymnasts.
In the Level 2 events, Emirati gymnast Alina Sadiqi demonstrated her dominance, winning first place in all four events: balance beam, parallel bars, floor exercise, and vault. Saudi gymnast Yara Tlal secured the second position in all four events, completing the Level 2 competition between the two gymnasts.
The all-around competition saw Wahid taking the top spot in Level 1, followed by Farid in second and Tarek in third. In Level 2, Sadiqi secured the top position, with Tlal in second. These results highlighted the exceptional talent and dedication of the participating gymnasts.
The Special Olympics Regional Games feature 13 participating countries, 173 athletes, and 42 partners. The event aims to promote inclusivity and social integration through sports, providing a platform for athletes with intellectual disabilities to showcase their skills and compete in a supportive environment.
The games are being held under the motto "Sports Performance," emphasizing the importance of athletic achievement and fair play. The event provides an opportunity for athletes to demonstrate their abilities and compete in a spirit of friendly competition, promoting values of inclusion and social participation.
Key points
- Egyptian gymnast Naira Wahid excelled in the Level 1 events, winning multiple gold medals.
- Emirati gymnast Alina Sadiqi dominated the Level 2 events, securing top positions in all four apparatus.
- The Special Olympics Regional Games promote inclusivity and social integration through sports, supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities.
