Al Obaidli Wins Snooker Bronze Medal in Incheon

Incheon, South Korea, July 02 (QNA) - Cueist Ali Nasser Al Obaidli clinched the bronze medal for Qatar in the snooker event of the 4th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) currently in progress here. Displaying remarkable concentration and clam approach in difficult table situations, Al Obaidli gave a tough fight to China's Xiao Guodong in the semi-finals and settled for a bronze medal in the Men's 6 Red Snooker event last night, a Qatar Olympic Committee bulletin said. Earlier, in the quarter-final, also held Monday Ali Nasser Al Obaidli defeated Vafaei Ayouri Hossein of Iran 5-3. In the chess competition, Qatar's Hussain Aziz defeated Barbosa Oliver of Philippines to reach the fourth round where he will take on Setaraman of India. Singapore's Daphne Tan Shi Jing defeated China's Chen Dongdong 182-167 in the final to win the women's bowling singles gold medal. The finalists had ended Korean interest in the semi-final when Tan disposed of Son Yun Hee and Chen eliminated Hwang Yeon Ju, the leading qualifier from the morning sessions. On Monday United Arab Emirate's (UAE) Mubarak Al Besher recovered his form following a poor start, as he blazed to a GCC record (to be ratified) in the 50m breaststroke. Al Besher, who will participate in the FINA World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona later this month, was well off his timings in the 100m breaststroke on Sunday, but the 24-year-old bounced back to clock 28.64 seconds in the short course 50m heats. The Emirati swimmer missed out on a place in the final by a narrow 0.02 second margin, but coach Tamer Mostafa said Besher has probably just recorded a new GCC record, that is yet to be ratified. "This competition is vital for Mubarak as he is getting ready for Barcelona and this is his last step in his preparation plan. "We are confident that he can set a new UAE record at the World Championships," Mostafa said. The medals presentation ceremony was attended by Mohammad Yousef Al-Mana, Chairman of Qatars Official Delegation, Member of the QOC Executive Board and President of the Qatar Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Federation, Khaleel Al-Jaber, President of the Qatar Swimming Association, Mohammad Mubarak Al Naimi, President of the Qatar Billiard and Snooker Federation, Abdulsalam Abbas, President of the Qatar Bowling Federation and Hamad Al Hamadi, Director of Qatar's Administrative Delegation. The eight-day event which concludes July 7 is featuring participants from 44 countries vying for top honours in nine sports. The 4th AIMAG is the first OCA Games to combine the Asian Indoor Games and the Asian Martial Arts Games. This edition of the AIMAG is a test run for the South Korea's hosting of the 17th Asian Games in Incheon next year. Billed the largest ever Asiad with 437 events in 36 sports and disciplines, the Games will be held here from September 19 to October 4, 2014. Incheon won the rights to host the Games at the voting held in Kuwait City on April 17, 2007, defeating Delhi, India to host the Games. Incheon will be the third city in South Korea after Seoul (1986) and Busan (2002) to host the Asian Games. (QNA)