File photo of Mutaz Barshim
Doha: Reigning Olympic champion Mutaz Barshim led Qatar’s gold rush at the West Asia Athletics Championship as the home side bagged four gold medals on the opening day at Suheim bin Hamad Stadium yesterday.
In what was the season opener for high jump superstar, Barshim comfortably clinched the gold with a jump of 2.20m. Oman’s Fatiq Abdul Ghafoor (2.05m) secured silver while Iraq’s Hussain Falah claimed bronze medal.
Qatar’s three-time world champion will now start his Diamond League season at the same venue on May 5.
Meanwhile, Bashayer Obaid brought first gold of the day for Al Annabi after leaping 11.62m in the women’s triple jump.
Top Al Annabi sprinter Femi Ogunode also clinched victory in men’s 100m, clocking 10.13 secs for a dominant win in the event. Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Abubakar (10.23 secs) took silver medal while Femi’s brother Tosin Ogunode (10.31 secs) earned bronze medal for Qatar.
The hosts also dominated the men’s 3000m steeplechase with Yasen Salem (8:33.63) and Musab Adam (8:34.25) confirming a one-two for the home side. Iraq’s Mohammed Abdullah (8:35.85) finished on third spot.
In 10,000m race walk, Qatar’s Mabrook Saleh (49:09.64 secs) took silver medal finishing behind UAE’s Al Shuali Al Naimi, who picked up gold with a time of 48:30.49 secs. Palestine’s Aboud Joda (50:54.86) won bronze medal in the event.
In 110m hurdles, Qatar’s Omar Daudi secured bronze with a time of 14:27.
As many as 12 countries including hosts Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, Bahrain, the UAE, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Yemen and Syria are taking part in the event that will conclude on Saturday.
