Ibrahim Ali bin Owairan (centre), and other officials of Saudi Arabia team pose with their winner’s trophy during the 14th GCC Athletics Championships at Khalifa Stadium, yesterday. Saudi Arabia top the medals tally followed by hosts Qatar. RIGHT: Muhammed Sulaiman (left ), an official of Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF), receiving the second place Trophy from Dahlan Al Hamad (centre), President of QAF during the prize distribution ceremony at Khalifa Stadium, yesterday. Dr Ibrahim Al Sakkar ( right), President of GCC Athletics Organising Committee is also seen.PICTURES by: Kammutty VP
BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: Qatar’s London Games star Mutaz Essa Barshim yesterday won the gold medal in the high jump event on the final day of the 14th GCC Athletics Championships.
In the same event, Barshim junior Moamar made it a family 1-2 when he finished second behind his senior sibling following an error-prone performance at Khalifa Stadium.
However, Barshim senior gave a glimpse of his bronze-winning show at the London Olympics last August by walking through his turns yesterday.
The 21-year-old attempted only two jumps, notching an unbeatable 2.25m height. In his first jump, Barshim reached 2.19m.
Moamar won the silver medal with his best jump of 2.16m. The younger sibling missed two of his five attempts.
The bronze medal was picked up by Syed Ali Abbas of the UAE with a jump of 2.13m.
Overall, Saudi Arabia topped the medals table with an overall tally of 8 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze.
Hosts Qatar finished second with 7 gold, 7 silver and 6 bronze.
Kuwait were third with 3 gold, 6 silver and 6 bronze.
Oman finished fourth, UAE ended the three-day championships in fifth place while Bahrain were at the bottom of the medals table.
In the junior competitions, Qatar topped the table with 216 points.
Saudi Arabia finished second with a tally of 202 points while Kuwait ended the event with 174 points.
Barshim - preparing for a busy season that includes the Moscow IAAF World Championships in August - said he was never in any doubt about a solid performance.
“I was more interested in staying injury-free,” Barshim said when asked about his two jumps.
“I have a busy season ahead so I didn’t want to injure myself in any way,” the tall Qatari added.
“I knew I would win it. The main concern was (the) gold medal which I won. It is beginning of the season so I want to take care of myself,” he added.
“It was nothing ... I was looking at the gold medal and I got it,” Barshim said.
“I am feeling my preparation. I still have many events and months to go before the Moscow World Championships. That’s my goal for the season. Hopefully, I will be able to see out the season (without injuries),” Barshim said.
“I am going to stay here. I will train here and get ready for the Samung Diamond-League opener (on May 10 in Doha),” Barshim said when asked about his next assignment.
“I will go to Europe in June,” Barshim said.
In the 1,500m final, Qatar’s Mohammed Al Karni won the gold with a time of 4:10.40.
The silver medal was secured by Umar Al Rashidi of Kuwait. Al Rashidi clocked 4:11.18.
Saudi Arabia’s Ammad Hamid Noor (4:11.36) picked up the bronze medal.
It was 1-2 for the hosts as Qatar’s Saleh Nasir and Hussain Al Khairi won the gold and the silver medals respectively in the 10,000m final.
Nasser won the race with a time of 45:10.43 while his compatriot Al Khairi was timed at 51:26.72.
UAE’s Hassan Jassim (54:36.15) bagged the bronze medal.
In the 5,000m final, Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Al Jawad won the gold with a time of 14:07.98.
Qatar’s Mohammed Al Karni picked up the silver with a time of 14:28.34.
The bronze medal was secured by Moaz Abdulrehman Balla of Qatar who clocked 14:41.19.
The three-day championships attracted more than 200 athletes from around the GCC countries.
Hosts Qatar fielded more than 50 athletes in the junior and senior categories.
The Peninsula
