Syrian shot putter given state award

Minister of Education Hazwan al-Wazz Saturday honored athlete Mohammad Khaled al-Mohammad who won a gold medal in the shot put event at the 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships in disability specific sports which concluded activities on July 30 in Lyon, France. Al-Wazz said this Syrian achievement stresses once again the importance of the plans being carried out by the Ministry in the field of caring for people with special needs. The Minister congratulated al-Mohammad over this great achievement which he said would add to Syria's contribution to international sport. For his part, al-Mohammad dedicated his win to his homeland Syria and his family, stressing that his win would not have been possible was it not for the Education Ministry's great care for this type of sports. Al-Mohammad holds a bachelor degree in Sociology. He works at al-Amal (hope) school for the physically disabled. He has held the title of the Champion of the Republic over several years in the sports of discus throw, shot put and javelin. He won the silver medal in Asian Tournament 2010 and ranked fifth in London 2012 Olympic Games. Source: SANA