Emirati sprinter Hamda Al Hosani on Monday won gold in the 100-metre race, securing her status as one of the world’s most-successful Special Olympics sprinters.

The 29-year-old’s victory was hard-won as she was chased all of the way by Bahraini athlete Aysha Alsubei who finished a close second.

The result means the two athletes have swapped places on the winners’ podium after Aysha won Sunday’s 200m race and Hamda took the silver.

Hamda’s two medals at this week’s Special Olympics IX MENA Games 2018 in Abu Dhabi takes her overall international medal count to an impressive 17 and makes her a favourite for even more on-track success later in the week and in next year’s World Games in the UAE capital.

“I’m now looking forward to the 4x100m metre relay race on Tuesday,” said Hamda. Meanwhile, Emirati athletes with determination and their able-bodied colleagues won silver and bronze medals in a double victory for the UAE’s unified table tennis couples teams.

Khaled Al Shahi, who has ID, won the silver medal with his able-bodied colleague, Nawaf Al Kaabi, while ID athlete Mohammed Almas was presented with bronze alongside his teammate, Yousef Al Kaabi.

Khaled said: “I am very proud that I took second place in this category and I dedicate this win to our UAE leaders.”

More than 1,000 athletes from 32 countries have travelled to Abu Dhabi to take part. Athletes are participating in 16 sports across eight venues including ADNEC, Zayed Sports City, Yas Marina Circuit, NYUAD, Officer’s Club, Mubadala IPC Arena, Al Jazira Sports Club and Al Forsan Club.

Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019 will see the biggest humanitarian sporting event in the world coming to the Emirati Capital, marking its first debut in the history of the MENA region.