Grand Prix 2024: The greats deliver in Tunis

A new-look field produced three days of top-level action in Tunis, as the second Grand Prix of 2024 took centre stage in the Para athletics world.

In a field of 353 athletes comprising 42 nations, there was an element of name-making opportunities for many of those competing. In comparison to the first Grand Prix stop in Dubai, this was a field reduced of renowned international names. But what it lacked in them, it fully made up for in the entertainment stakes.

More medals to Tokyo alumni

Nobody pleased the home crowd more than their national icon, Raoua Tlili. Already adored for her six Paralympic Gold medals, she was the standout attraction in advance and lived up to the hype she has had around her throughout her entire career. 

Tlili launched a 9.75m in the shot put F41, with fellow Tunisian and Rio 2016 silver medallist Samar Ben Koelleb finishing a spot behind. But it was in the discus throw F41 that her huge challenge came, facing long-time rival Youssra Karim of Morocco. 

The duo has traded places back and forth over the years across Paralympic Games and World Championships, but this time it was the turn of Karim to celebrate. Karim’s mammoth 37.66m blew Tlili’s 33.81m out the water for a big victory.

In the T11/12, Morocco’s duo of Abdeslam Hili (T12) and Mouncef Bouja (T12) did battle once again in pursuit of the 400m title. Hili – the Tokyo 2020 champion – emerged on top, finishing narrowly over a second ahead of his countrymate. 

Paris 2023 world champion Rouay Jebabli gave another gold to the hosts finishing more than 6 seconds ahead of his competitors in the men's 1500m T12. 

Two-time Paralympic champion in the men's 5000m T11, Kenya's Samwel Kimani beat his compatriot Wilson Bii to win the same event in Tunis.

There were some surprises though. Tunisia’s Tokyo 2020 double gold medallist Walid Ktila (T34) found himself disqualified in the 100m of the T72-34/T53/T54, leaving it up to his countryman Mohamed Nidhal Khelifi (T53) to take the title. 

Relive the action

You can go back and watch some of the best moments from across the Tunis Grand Prix across NPC Tunisia’s YouTube channel. And find full results from across the competition at https://2024.npctunisia.tn/. 

What’s next?

The action is coming thick and it’s coming fast and we’ve got big dates for your diary!

Coming just two weeks after the conclusion of Tunis, a sure-to-be strong European contingent will take centre stage at the familiar site of Jesolo in Italy. Just a short journey from Venice, the canals will take a back seat to the wonders of the Para athletics world from 22 March.

Then it is to Xalapa, Mexico on 5 April, before it all comes to an end at the end of the month in Marrakech, Morocco. And potentially the biggest date in the diary then follows, with the World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan. That begins on 17 May, running for what will be a week of exhilarating action.