BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: Qatar’s celebrated sports personality Mutaz Essa Barshim yesterday drew first blood for the hosts by winning the gold in the men’s high jump event on day one of the 18th Arab Athletics Championships.
Braving jet lag after his long flight from Shanghai where he picked up a gold with a meet record on Saturday, Barshim yesterday topped the high jump event at Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium against his rivals from the Arab world.
Barshim recorded an impressive height of 2:30m for the gold medal. Sudan’s Mohammed Younis bagged the silver (2:24) while Nawaf Ahmed of Saudi Arabia picked up the bronze (2:18). Also yesterday, Kuwait’s Mashari Sarwar Saad won the gold in the men’s shot put final with a throw of 19:37m.
Yasir Ibrahim of Egypt won the silver (18:84m) while Sultan Alhabshi of Saudia Arabia bagged the bronze (18:77m). Barshim was delighted with his outing in windy conditions at Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium.
“Of course I am happy to get the gold medal,” Barshim said.
“I wasn’t trying to push myself as I just got back from Shanghai ... it was a long flight,” the Qatari, who won a bronze at London Olympic Games last year,” he added.
“Thank God, the target was the gold medal and I got that. Now I have four days to rest,” the tall athlete said. The 22-year-old will head for the US next week. Eugene will host the third leg of the IAAF Diamond League next week. On March 10 at Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium, Barshim kicked-off the IAAF Diamond League season with a silver medal.
Last month, Barshim had picked up the gold at the GCC Athletics Championships at Khalifa International Stadium.
Barshim yesterday said the Shanghai event was almost perfect.
“The weather there wasn’t perfect but I can’t complain,” he said.
“The main thing is I am feeling great. I don’t have any health issues,” he added with a smile.
“I have some issues but they are nothing really,” he explained. “After three hours those strains just disappear,” he added with a smile.
“My coach is happy with me and I am satisfied with my performance,” he said.
In the women’s 10km final held yesterday morning, Tunisia’s Alfa Alfai won the gold with a time of 50:34.
Ghazalani Breza of Algeria won the silver (57:41) while Lahina Khusarani, also of Algeria, picked up the bronze (1:01:34).
The Tunisian said: “It was a little difficult at the start because I was felt that it was hot. But thereafter it was easy for me. Overall it was not very tough for me.”
She added: “I am feeling good. I have another race in Turkey. I hope I do better there. I haven’t qualified for the World Championships yet. But I want to improve my performances as the season moves on.”
In the men’s 20km final, Tunisia’s Hasnain Alsubayee won the gold with a time of 1:30:30.
Mohammed Amer of Algiers bagged the silver with a time of 1:41:30 while compatriot Hisham Mujber won the bronze (1:52:22).
In the women’s long jump final, Yamana Hajaji of Morroco bagged the gold (6:05m).
Morroco’s Jahad Baqshi grabbed the silver (5:93) while Enas Mohammed Ghareeb of Egypt picked up the bronze (5:81).
Today the athletes will compete in 14 finals. More than 360 athletes are taking part in the four-day championships hosted by Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF).
The championships ends on Friday.
THE PENINSULA
