Abderrahman Samba, Qatar’s premier athlete, is seen during the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championship press conference held at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha yesterday.
DOHA: After a phenomenal season, Qatar’s Abderrahman Samba is not thinking much about the action as he is itching for a ‘much-needed’ vacation. But when he comes back the next season he will mean business – to continue to pursue the world record and grabbing titles that come his way.
The star 400m hurdler made a clean sweep of titles in the 2018 season, remaining unbeaten in the eight Diamond League finals, and a record run at Asian Games in Jakarta to clinch gold medal for Qatar.
Throughout the season, the 23-year-old continued to dip below 48 seconds every race.
The highlight of his performance was a time of 46.98sec, the second fastest time ever, at a meeting in Paris earlier this summer.
“I am very happy for my achievements this season. I earned so many good results this year,” Samba told reporters on the sidelines of a ceremony at the Khalifa International Stadium yesterday, marking 365-day countdown to the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019.
“When I broke into the 46(sub) in Paris, that was my best moment of the season. When I started this season I wanted to be fast but was not expecting this time, though the world record was in my mind. I would have liked to have World Championships or Olympics this year (because of superb form).
“But I am looking for a better 2019 through hard training. We have many competitions. The World Championships (at home) and before that we have the Asian Athletics Championships at the same venue. So I am looking forward to these events and whatever event comes next year,” he said.
Samba reiterated his pledge to continue pursuing the world record of American athlete Kevin Young, who set the World record and Olympic record of 46.78secs at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.
“Two athletes from Qatar – me in hurdles and (Mutaz) Barshim in high jump are looking to set new world records. We are on it and also we speak about winning the events and gold medals for Qatar,” he said.
Speaking about his plans next year, Samba said he would be looking to compete in the 400m races.
“The 400m helps me in the 400m hurdles and I will be competing in those races. We have not planned for the new season as my coach is on vacation.”
Asked about his plans for the long off season, the star hurdler replied: “I will enjoy and sleep. I am preparing to go for vacation. I want to keep my vacation plan secret as I don’t want people to bother me during that.”
