Bahrain claims podium at Arab athletics Championship

Manama, Apr.25 (BNA): Bahrain has today extended its superb form at the 19th Pan Arab Championships, being held at Khalifa Sport City Stadium in Isa Town. Sixteen contests in total were held on the second day of this four-day regional athletics event as Bahrain put on an great performance and took six medals – two gold and four bronze amidst stiff challenge from prominent Arab athletes. Kemi Adekoya stole the highlights of the day by showing some high pace in the women’s 400m final, in which she clocked 54.06 seconds to win the competition’s gold. She finished ahead of Suhair Buali of Algeria (44.34), who came second, while Bahraini Amina Yousef (57.27) rounded off the podium. Bahrain’s second gold medal of the day was taken by Hajer Al Amiri in the 100m final, where she timed 11.642 seconds to beat silver medalist Suhair Buali (11.548) of Algeria and compatriot Iman Isa (11.650), who settled for the bronze. Noora Salem Jassim opened Bahrain’s medal haul of the day by winning the women’s discus throw bronze with her best throw attempt being 47.05 metres. Amina Al Muaden of Morocco (48.99m) took the gold, followed by silver medalist Sara Sayed Hasibi (47.37m) of Egypt. Maryam Al Ansari then produced another remarkable show to clinch another bronze medal for Bahrain in the women’s high jump event, where her best attempt was 160 centimeters. The gold medal went to Egypt’s Basant Mesaad (175cm), while Ghazlan Saiba (175cm) of Morocco took the silver. Later on, Bahrain had big hopes on Marta Pato and Genzeb Shoumi in the women’s 800m (heptathlon) final. Marta battled to finish third in two minutes and 8.19 seconds, while Genzeb could only come in fourth place in 2:09.72. Malka Aqawi (2:05.77) of Morocco won the gold, finishing ahead of silver medalist Bethlem Desaleyn (2:07.20) of UAE. In the men’s section, Abbas Abubaker was third in the 400m final in 46.19 seconds. Abdulelah Haroon (44.68) of Qatar and Egypt’s Anas Abdulsalam (45.61) were first and second, respectively. The results took Bahrain’s tally to 10 medals in total (4 gold, 1silver, 5 bronze) to remain in contention for the team overall crown. About 700 male and female athletes from 21 Arab countries are taking part in the championship, which will run until April 27. Teams include Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Sudan, Palestine, Lebanon, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Iraq, Oman and host nation Bahrain. Other results: Men: Hammer throw: 1. Mustafa Mohammed (Egypt, 74.81m); 2. Ashraf Amjad (Qatar, 73.68m); 3. Aladdin Mohammed (Egypt, 72.26). Javelin throw: 1. Al Ashaoori Mohsin (Morocco, 500); 2. Mohamed Ramadana (Tunisia, 490); 3. Hisham Khalil (Algeria, 480). Shot put: 1. Mustafa Amro (Egypt, 19.22m); 2. Mohammed Majdi (Egypt, 18.38m); 3. Ahmed Abdulla (Kuwait, 18.08). 1,500m: 1. Fuad Al Kamam (Morocco, 3:46.54); 2. Muhyiddin Abdi (Djibiouti, 3:46.56); 3 Heez Bashir (Djibouti, 3:$7.08). 100m: 1. Fimi Seyon (Qatar, 10.04); 2. Barakat Al Harthy (Oman, 10.05); Ahadi Aziz (Morocco, 10.08). 110m hurdles: 1. Abdulaziz Abdulla (Kuwait, 13.35); 2. Yaqoub Al Yoha (Kuwait, 13.37); 3. Othman Haj (13.60). 3,000m steeplechase: 1. Al Zain Hameed (Morocco, 8:30.57); 2. Ebrahim Al Talib (Morocco, 8:31.15); 3. Omar Banyahya (Tunisia, 8:31.28).