By N.D. Prashant/Doha (Gulf Times)
 |
| KEEN CONTEST: Qatar’s Ogunode Femi Seun (C) competes next to Oman’s Barakat al-Harthi (R) and Saudi Arabia’s Yasir al-Nashri during their men’s 100m final during the Arab Games |
Asian Games double gold medalist Femi Seun Ogunode became the fastest man at the Arab Games when he clocked 10.37 seconds to win the 100m final yesterday.
Ogunode prevailed in a photo finish with Oman’s Barakat al-Harthi (10.37sec), while Morocco’s Aziz Ouhadi claimed bronze in a time of 10.38seconds.
“I’m extremely pleased with the result. I didn’t expect the contest to be so close though,” said an elated Ogunode after the race.
Despite missing out on the title by a whisker, al-Harthi was pleased with his showing.
“I am very happy. I thank God for this result. I am so proud because this is the first medal in athletics for Oman. The distance between us was a hair’s width,” added al-Harthi.
Later in the evening Qatar’s Kamal Abubaker Ali went to clinch gold in the men’s 3000m steeplechase virtually unchallenged clocking 8:36.82. The win was all the more pleasing for the Qatari as he was out of action for most part of last season due to injury and this season too was a forgettable one.
“That win was like a consolation for me, after two seasons of frustration. Last year I was injured and this season I couldn’t register a good time.
“I really wanted to win this race that’s why I went to Kenya and trained hard there for 43 days,” said an overjoyed Abubaker.
 |
| ALL SMILES: Abubaker Ali of Qatar celebrates after winning the 3000m Steeplechase final race during the 2011 Arab Games in Doha |
Abubaker will be also leading Qatar’s challenge in the 5000m and was confident of putting up a similar show. “I want to dedicate the win to the people of Qatar who have embraced me and supported me since the beginning. I promise I can offer them more joy in the 5000m as well,” said a confident Abubaker
The silver went to Morocco’s Hamid Ezzine with a time of 8:38.37, while the bronze was pocketed by Mubarak Tarew Taher, who clocked 8:39.25.
Mohamed Mabrook Saleh also won sliver for Qatar in the 20km walk with a time of 1: 31: 02 behind Tunisia’s Hassanine Sebei. The bronze was claimed by
Ali Daghiri of Morocco with a time of 1:34:59.
Apart from the two gold in athletics, the hosts also clinched five more gold medals yesterday – two each in archery and shooting and one in bowling.
They are currently sitting pretty in second spot with 22 gold, 19 silver and 11 bronze. Egypt continue their surge at the top of the table with 47 gold, 35 silver and 28 bronze medals. Tunisia also maintain their hold on their third position with 15 gold, 7 silver and 11 bronze.
Earlier in the day, Bahya Mansoor al-Hamad won gold in the Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions and then later, partnering with Matara Fahad al-Aseiri and Khalad Shaikha al-Mohamed, went on to win the team final of the same event. Al-Hamad from her prone, standing and kneeling positions managed to score 575 points.
The silver also went to Qatar. Al-Aseiri with a total of 565 finished ahead of Kuwait’s Arzouqi Maryam. Two more gold for Qatar came in the men’s archery. Abdulaziz al-Obadi, with a score of 138, beat Saudi Arabia’s 136 to win gold in the men’s individual compound archery competition at the Lusail Complex range.
“This is indescribable. This is my first international competition and I have won two gold medals and one silver. I competed with the champions of both Africa and Asia and I am really satisfied with this achievement,” said a beaming al-Obadi after the medals ceremony.
Qatar also struck gold in the men’s men’s masters bowling final. Mubarak al-Muraikhi got the better of Bahrain’s Mohamed Janahi with a total of 475.
“I thought a lot about this medal after I lost the all events gold. I was all excited and believed in my ability to add a second gold to Qatar’s medal tally. This second gold medal gave my country the Arab Games bowling title,” said a jubilant al-Muraikhi.
