Grand Prix 2024: Home stars steal show in Marrakech

Home was where the heart is for the strong Moroccan team at the weekend when the Para Athletics Grand Prix action moved to Marrakech.

Leading from the front

With a side that boasted Paralympic and World champions in the midst of it, Morocco were always going to bring something big to the Grand Stage de Marrakech. And they duly obliged.

On the first evening, F33 Paralympic gold medallist Zakariae Derhem launched the shot put at a distance of 12.03 to add another title to his illustrious collection.

Sticking with the field and Youssra Karim had mixed fortunes at home. The discus Paralympic and World silver medallist was typically successful with the discus, 37.09 for a success in the F40/41. In the shot put, Karim would finish on the podium too, third in the F41 in one of the final events.

There were notable performances from those from afar as well. Mexico’s Paralympic champion from Tokyo, Jose Rodolfo Chessani, made no mistake in his specialist 400m final. The T38 champion competed in a cross field between T35/37/38 and was in typically fine form to cross the line in 00.01 of a gap before the 50s mark. 

The Presidential Touch

There was a very special guest in attendance at the opening too, as IPC President Andrew Parsons was on-site to oversee proceedings in Marrakech. 

President Parsons received a tour of the venue, met staff and athletes and kept an eye on things as he stepped up things in the run up to Kobe and Paris. 

We’re heading to the Worlds!

Marrakech was vitally important for two reasons. The first is of course because the Grand Prix series is a chance for athletes to test themselves on the international stage, gain valuable times and secure huge victories. But Marrakech had the added extra: it was the final step en route to Kobe.

Taking place from 17-25 May, a return to the nation that hosted the 2020 Paralympic Games is a long-awaited moment and one that promises to be unmissable for those in attendance at home. There is of course also the added intrigue that it acts as one of the final stops to the Games itself. With times to be set, pressure to be put on and bragging rights to grasp, the Kobe World Championships have all the makings of the greatest yet. 

What will be next?

The Grand Prix series now takes a temporary break as attention firmly turns to the previously mentioned Para Athletics World Championships in Kobe. Returning on the 6th June in the familiar surroundings of Nottwil, a week later the series comes to a close at the Paris Handisport in the final bit of prep before…well, Paris. The season has been electric so far and it’s only going to get better.

Relive Marrakech

You can watch all the action back by visiting the FRMSPH YouTube page, whilst you can find the best of the images on the Paralympics Flickr.