Gaza Paralympians confident of success in London

GAZA - Wheelchair-bound Khamis Zaqout from Gaza, who lost the use of his legs while working on a building site in Israel two decades ago, is Palestine's best hope for a Paralympic medal in London this month.

Zaqout will compete in the shot put, discus and javelin at the Aug 29-Sept 9 Games. Partially-sighted long-jumper Mohammed Fannouna, a bronze winner in Athens, will be Palestine's second representative.

Palestinian Paralympic athlete Khamis Zaqout prepares for a shot put throw during a training session at Palestine Stadium in Gaza City, May 28, 2012.  [Photo/Agencies]

"We have crawled to the Paralympics. I have achieved an Asian record with the simple means that we have," said Zaqout.

The pair were good enough to vie for medals, said Ala Shataly, a Palestinian Paralympic Committee member, whereas the Palestinians usually had only a symbolic presence in able-bodied sports.

The team had nothing to celebrate at the London Olympics, which ended on Sunday and where a judoka, two swimmers and two runners competed.

"We have always been competitive at the Paralympics where we strive for achievements and we have reached a stage where we cannot go backwards," Shataly said.

"Zaqout is definitely going to win a medal," he said, adding that Fannouna, who won two golds and three bronze medals in the Arab Games in Doha last year, was also capable of a podium finish.

Palestine have won three Paralympic medals: Hussam Azzam took a bronze in Sydney and a silver in Athens in the shot put and Fannouna captured the long-jump bronze in Athens.

Palestinian Paralympic athlete Khamis Zaqout exercises at a gym in Gaza City, May 29, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]