Golf

Doha, Qatar: Saleh Al Kaabi demonstrated his skill to claim the 39th Qatar Open Amateur Golf Championship title with a one-stroke victory at Doha Golf Club yesterday. The top Qatari golfer shot a two-under-par 70 in the third and final round, finishing with an aggregate of 213 shots to edge out Egypt’s Issa Abou El Ela. This triumph secured Al Kaabi’s spot in the prestigious Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. “We are thrilled with the outstanding victory of Qatar’s Saleh Al Kaabi. This achievement highlights his remarkable progress and the dedication he’s invested in the sport,” said Walid Saad, Media Coordinator for the Qatar Golf Association and Member of the Tournament Organising Committee. “The Qatar Golf Association has consistently improved the tournament, turning it into a globally recognised event. It has also made significant strides in developing local talent, helping players reach their fullest potential. Al Kaabi’s victory further solidifies his status as a key player on the Qatari national team, as he outperformed some of the best, including last year’s champion. This win brings pride to Qatar and sets a shining example for the future of golf in the region,” Saad said. Meanwhile, overnight leader Daniil Sokolov, also representing the host nation, finished two shots behind El Ela after a difficult round of six-over-par 78 yesterday. Defending champion Calum Fitzgerald of England finished joint fifth along with Qatari golfer Ali Al Shahrani, both with a total of 227. English golfer Joe Jones claimed fourth place, one shot ahead of the pair. Australia’s Andrew Ikstrums (229) and Cam Krahner (234) followed, with England’s Andrew Saunders (236) and Ireland’s Keith Crowley (238) rounding out the top 10. 39th Qatar Open Amateur Golf ChampionshipLeaderboard 1. 213 – Saleh Al Kaabi (Qatar) 75, 68, 70 (–3) 2. 214 – Issa Abou El Ela (Egypt) 68, 74, 72 (–2) 3. 216 – Daniil Sokolov (Qatar) 68, 70, 78 (Level) 4. 226 – Joe Jones (England) 76, 77, 73 (+10) 5. 227 – Calum Fitzgerald (England) 77, 74, 76 (+11) 6. 227 – Ali Al Shahrani (Qatar) 70, 80, 77 (+11) 7. 229 – Andrew Ikstrums (Australia) 75, 77, 77 (+13) 8. 234 – Cam Krahner (Australia) 73, 76, 85 (+18) 9. 236 – Andrew Saunders (England) 83, 74, 79 (+20) 10. 238 – Keith Crowley (Ireland) 80, 79, 79 (+22)

Horse Racing

Doha, Qatar: Al Shomos yesterday continued her remarkable form with a third consecutive victory in the feature race, claiming the Al Uqda Local Thoroughbred Trophy after an impressive run under Ivan Rossi. The 10-year-old veteran mare, owned by Saeed bin Mubarak Saeed Aljafali Al Naimi and trained by Ahmed Kobeissi, accelerated with determination in the home straight, powering past the leaders to win by half a length. Earlier at Al Uqda Racecourse, the trainer-jockey duo of Hadi Al Ramzani and Jefferson Smith completed a double when Dhouha emerged victorious in the Local Purebred Arabian Handicap 80-105 (Class 2). Lagtaifia secured the first title for the pair, winning the Purebred Arabian Handicap 50-70 (Class 5). Meanwhile, jockey Pierre Charles Boudot guided Hamad Al Jehani-trained Dandy Arabian to win in Thoroughbred Handicap 0-90, while Jean de Mieulle-trained Safwan clinched the Thoroughbred Graduation Plate with Olivier d’Andigne in the saddle. In other contests of the seven-race meet, Nah’ash Al Shahania, piloted by Lukas Delozier, was fastest in Purebred Arabian Novice Plate, with Achika sealing the Local Thoroughbred Handicap 30-50 trophy under Fayos Martin Borja. 17th Al Uqda Race Meeting Al Uqda Local Thoroughbred Trophy WINNERS: (Horse, Trainer, Jockey) Al Uqda Local Thoroughbred Trophy - Open Race (Class 2) Al Shomos, Ahmed Kobeissi, Ivan Rossi Local Purebred Arabian Handicap 80-105 (Class 2) Dhouha, Hadi Al Ramzani, Jefferson Smith Thoroughbred Handicap 0-90 (3yo Only) (Class 3) Dandy Arabian, Hamad Al Jehani, Pierre Charles Boudot Thoroughbred Graduation Plate (Class 4) Safwan, Jean de Mieulle, Olivier d’Andigne Purebred Arabian Novice Plate (Class 5) Nah’ash Al Shahania, Rudy Andre Nerbonne, Lukas Delozier Purebred Arabian Handicap 50-70 (Class 5) Lagtaifia, Hadi Al Ramzani, Jefferson Smith Local Thoroughbred Handicap 30-50 (Class 5) Achika, Mohamed Khaled Elahmed, Fayos Martin Borja

Qatar Sport

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar International Friendship Artistic Gymnastics Championship concluded last night at Aspire Academy, following two days of intense competition featuring 225 young gymnasts from six countries - Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq. Divided into 16 teams, the athletes delivered exceptional performances that impressed both the audience and officials. The tournament witnessed fierce competition among all participants, creating an exciting atmosphere that was enjoyed by fans in attendance. The Organising Committee, led by Ali Al Hitmi, President of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF), crowned the winning gymnasts at the closing ceremony, held in an electric atmosphere with a large turnout of gymnastics enthusiasts. President of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation Ali Al Hitmi poses with the officials. Samira Said, Tournament Director, expressed her satisfaction with the event’s success, highlighting the high level of competition and the exceptional atmosphere throughout the championship. “We were confident from the start that this would be a highly competitive tournament, given the caliber of participating nations, and the performances exceeded our expectations,” she stated. “This tournament served as a fantastic experience and a strong launchpad for future editions. The event provided valuable learning experiences for both young and senior gymnasts, refining their skills and preparing them for higher levels of competition. The performances were remarkable, promising even better levels in the future,” she added. Discussing the Qatari gymnasts’ performances, Said noted, “The championship featured 60 gymnasts from academies affiliated with teh QGF, and they delivered outstanding performances, achieving commendable results. We are pleased with how Qatar’s gymnasts performed in this strong competitive environment, which provided them with a valuable opportunity to gain experience and exposure.” For his part, Abdulrahman Al Muftah, QGF Board Member, emphasized the tournament’s role in identifying emerging talents. “Over the two days, we observed several promising young gymnasts who have the potential for a bright future in the sport. Championships like this serve as a launching pad for future stars, and that was one of our key objectives in organizing the event,” he said. Essa Al Hitmi, QGF Board Member, expressed his satisfaction with the championship’s success across all aspects, including competition level, results, and organization. “We are extremely pleased with the outcome of this edition, both in terms of the technical level and the exceptional organizational standards. The tournament was executed in an outstanding manner and received praise from all participants, particularly from our fellow Arab nations, who recognized the great benefits their gymnasts gained from the experience,” he stated. "There was also widespread appreciation for Aspire Academy’s world-class facilities and Qatar’s state-of-the-art sports infrastructure. Such positive feedback is a testament to the championship’s success and the nation’s capability in hosting top-tier sporting events,” he added.