Bahrain’s tally rises to 39 medals

Dammam, Oct.24 (BNA): Bahrain today added six medals to their medal tally at the Second GCC Games, being held in Dammam, in Saudi Arabia. The nationals took the 3,000m steeplechase gold and silver medals, in addition to the 800m bronze, while the judo players clinched three additional bronze medals. This brought the kingdom’s total up to 39 medals, including four gold, 19 silver and 16 bronze. Benson Kiplagat opened Bahrain’s account of the day, clocking one minute and 48.31 seconds to secure the 800m bronze medal. Ali Saad (1:47.92) of Saudi Arabia and compatriot Abdulaziz Ladan (1:48.31) bagged the gold and silver medals, respectively. Bahrain then dominated the 3,000m steeplechase, in which John Kibet (8:45.79) and compatriot Evans Rutto (8:47.07) made a 1-2 finish. Bahrain will have another opportunity to increase their medal table today (Sunday) when they compete in the 4x400m medley relay, as well as the finals of the 200m and 5,000m. Elsewhere, Bahrain’s national judo team began their quest winning three bronze medals at Prince Saud bin Jalawi Sports City’s gym. Fadel Abbas, Ali Al Shaikh and Mahmood Al Aradi came third in their respective weight categories, thus boosting the kingdom’s overall medal table. Abbas opened Bahrain’s account in this discipline by securing the last podium award in the above 100kg event, losing to Saudi Arabia’s Rakan Zaidan then to Qatari Reda Nafoori, before beating UAE’s Mansoor Al Suwaidi. Late on, Al Shaikh was third in the under 66kg, in which Saudi Arabia’s Sulaiman Hammad and Qatari Mohammed Rabahi were respectively first and second. Al Aradi rounded off the day winning Bahrain’s third bronze in the under 73kg. Qatari Murad Zamouri bagged the gold, while the silver was taken by Mohammed Al Harbi of Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Bahrain look to win the basketball championship bronze medal today when they face Saudi Arabia in their last game of the competition. Today’s match will kick off at 3pm at the Youth Care Hall yesterday. Coached by national tactician Aqeel Milad, Bahrain lost their both matches in this four-team round robin event, first to Qatar 61-49, then to the UAE 65-70. A win today will ensure them the competition’s bronze medal. Qatar face the UAE at 5pm for the gold medal. Milad, a former national team prominent player, is likely to start this deciding game with Hussain Shaker, Mohammed Quayyed, Mohammed Qurban, Bader Abdulla and Ahmed Najaf, who are the cream of Bahrain’s basketball players.