Bermudian para-athletics star Jessica Lewis has continued her impressive start to the 2026 season with a hard-fought performance on the world stage. Following her dominant victory in the 100m sprint earlier in the meet, the T53 specialist returned to the track at the Dubai World Para Athletics Grand Prix to test her endurance in the 400m wheelchair final.
In a highly competitive combined T53/54 field, Lewis displayed the grit that has become her trademark. Navigating the demanding one-lap contest under the desert lights, she stopped the clock in a solid 59.78 seconds to secure third place. The result marks another consistent outing for the multiple-time Paralympian as she continues to refine her technical approach for the major championships later this year.
The race was won by Turkey’s Hamide Dogangun, a fellow T53 competitor, who produced a clinical performance to cross the line in 59.06 seconds. Canada’s Nandini Sharma, competing in the T54 category, took the second spot with a time of 58.69 seconds, while Zubeyde Supurgeci of Turkey and Artitaya Premphon of Thailand completed the top five in what was a stacked international lineup.
This latest podium finish in Dubai provides further evidence of Lewis's successful transition into the new season. Having recently introduced equipment modifications including new grooved racing gloves, the Bermudian athlete appears to be finding her rhythm and speed at the right time. With two medals already secured at the 17th Fazza International Open Championship, Lewis remains a formidable force on the global circuit as she heads into the final events of the meet.
