DOHA – Qatar’s gymnastics delegation left Doha early Tuesday, September 15, bound for Japan to participate in the 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026, scheduled to be held across Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.The artistic gymnastics competition is scheduled for September 20-24 at Nippon Gaishi Hall (Rainbow Hall) in Nagoya, where the continent’s top gymnasts will vie for honours.Qatar’s team comprises Rakan Al Harith, Mehrdad Ghadimi and Salma Nasser, who will compete under coaches Jorgen Sifkanen and Mohammed Al Dulaimi. The delegation also includes administrator Samira Saeed and physiotherapist Issam Abu Ouda.Al Hareth and Ghadimi completed their preparations at a training camp in Armenia, while Nasser undertook a domestic training camp in Doha due to academic commitments that prevented her from joining the team’s overseas camps.The Qatari presence will extend beyond the athletes, with Abeer Al Buainain, Secretary-General of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation and an international judge, and international judge Mahmoud Al Saadi joining the competition’s judging panel. Their participation underlines the growing expertise of Qatari gymnastics officials at major continental sporting events.The gymnastics delegation forms part of Qatar’s 243-member athlete contingent representing 18 sports federations at the Games. The continental showpiece features 469 events across 43 sports and brings together Asia’s elite athletes in pursuit of top honours.The Qatar Gymnastics Federation highlighted the importance of the participation in providing the team with valuable international experience, strengthening competitive readiness and supporting the continued development of Qatari gymnastics on the Asian and international stages.

Anadia, Portugal – Mr. Ali Al Hitmi, President of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation and First Vice President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), has confirmed that the training camp held in Anadia, Portugal, for Qatar’s men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics teams has achieved its technical and physical objectives, noting that the benefits of the work carried out during the camp have become increasingly evident as it draws to a close.Qatar’s men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics teams are concluding their training camp in Anadia, which began on August 16 and runs until August 30, as part of the national teams’ preparations for the new sports season and upcoming regional and international competitions.Al Hitmi said: “We are pleased with the level the gymnasts have reached towards the end of the camp. The results of the work carried out here are now clearly reflected in their technical performances, confirming that the training programme has achieved its objectives and that the camp has delivered significant benefits from both a technical and physical perspective.”He added: “From the beginning of the camp, our focus was on correcting technical errors and improving performances across the different apparatus. Through continuous training and daily monitoring by the coaching staff, we were able to address many of the issues identified at the start of the camp. This has been clearly reflected in the improved performances and greater consistency shown by the gymnasts during the latest training sessions.”The Qatar Gymnastics Federation President stressed that the progress was not limited to technical aspects alone.“The camp has been comprehensive in every respect. Physically, the gymnasts have benefited from strength, flexibility, endurance and coordination training, while technically, the focus has been on performance elements, precision, execution and consistency across the various apparatus. This has had a positive impact on the overall level of both the men’s and women’s teams,” he said.Al Hitmi explained that the training environment in Anadia had helped the teams maximise the benefits of the camp, with the facilities and overall conditions providing an ideal setting for preparation. He added that training in such an environment provides valuable experience for the gymnasts and enhances their readiness for upcoming competitions.“The final stage of the camp has been particularly important because it has allowed us to assess the progress made since the first day,” he said. “We have begun to see a clear difference in the level of performance, whether in terms of precision, consistency or skill execution. This gives us positive indications as we move into the next phase of our preparation programme.”Al Hitmi confirmed that the Qatar Gymnastics Federation continues to implement a structured preparation plan for the national teams, designed to gradually bring the gymnasts to peak readiness ahead of official competitions, stressing that overseas training camps form an important part of this strategy.“Our objective is not simply to organise training camps, but to ensure that we gain the maximum possible benefit from them,” he said. “That is why the gymnasts are continuously monitored, with their strengths identified and further developed, while weaknesses and technical errors are addressed so that they can reach the required level before entering competitions.”Al Hitmi also praised the considerable efforts of the technical and administrative staff throughout the camp, as well as the commitment and discipline demonstrated by the gymnasts, stressing that the success of any training camp depends on cooperation among all members of the team and their determination to benefit from every training session.“I would like to thank the technical and administrative staff, as well as all the male and female gymnasts, for the tremendous effort they have made throughout the camp and for the high level of commitment and discipline they have shown,” he said. “What we have achieved so far represents an important step, but we know that the work does not end when the camp concludes. We will move into a new phase of preparation and development ahead of the upcoming competitions.”The Qatar Gymnastics Federation President stressed that ambitions remain high for the next stage, with the objective of continuing to develop Qatari gymnastics and strengthening its presence at regional, continental and international competitions.Concluding his remarks, Al Hitmi said: “We are satisfied with what we have gained from the Anadia camp, particularly the clear progress made in both the technical and physical aspects. There is still a great deal of work ahead of us, but we have great confidence in our gymnasts. We hope that these preparations will be reflected in their performances and results in the upcoming competitions in a manner worthy of Qatari gymnastics.”The Anadia training camp forms part of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation’s strategy to provide the national teams with the best possible preparation programmes, enhance their technical and physical readiness, and utilise overseas training camps to further develop the gymnasts’ performances, supporting the continued progress of Qatari gymnastics and its pursuit of strong results on the international stage. 

Zunyi, China - Qatar's artistic gymnastics team continued to make its mark on the continental stage as athletes Rakan Al Harith and Mehrdad Qadimi delivered impressive performances at the 2026 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships, currently underway in Zunyi, China.Competing against some of Asia's and the world's most accomplished gymnasts, the two Qatari athletes showcased the significant progress of artistic gymnastics in Qatar, holding their own against Olympic and world championship medalists in one of the strongest continental competitions on the international calendar.Al Harith produced a standout display in the Pommel Horse final, finishing fifth among the eight finalists to cement his status among Asia's top five athletes in the apparatus at this year's championship.The achievement is particularly noteworthy given the strength of the field, which included several world and Olympic champions, highlighting Al Harith's technical development and ability to compete with the continent's elite performers.Meanwhile, Qadimi secured eighth place in the Rings final, earning a place among Asia's top eight gymnasts in the apparatus. The result carries added significance as it came during his first appearance at an Asian championship of this level, featuring many of the sport's leading international stars. His performance underlined his considerable potential and promising future in the sport.The championship marks a notable milestone for Qatari gymnastics, with two athletes reaching apparatus finals and earning top continental rankings on different events. Al Harith finished among Asia's top five on the Pommel Horse, while Qadimi secured a place among the top eight on the Rings, reflecting the continued development and growing competitiveness of Qatari gymnastics.The qualification of two Qatari gymnasts for Asian Championship finals highlights the sustained progress of the sport in Qatar and underscores the success of the development and preparation programs implemented by the Qatar Gymnastics Federation to nurture athletes capable of competing at the highest regional and international levels.Qatar Gymnastics Federation President Ali Al Hitmi praised the achievements of both athletes, describing the results as the product of the federation's long-term efforts, as well as the dedication of the technical and administrative staff and the athletes themselves."We are proud of what Rakan Al Harith and Mehrdad Qadimi achieved in this highly competitive championship," Al Hitmi said. "They demonstrated that they can compete on equal terms with world and Olympic-level athletes, which confirms that Qatari gymnastics is moving in the right direction and continuing to make significant progress on the continental stage."He also expressed appreciation for the continued support provided by the Qatar Olympic Committee, noting that its backing has played a key role in helping the federation achieve such encouraging results.Al Hitmi concluded by emphasizing that the achievements in Zunyi represent an important step in the ongoing development of Qatari gymnastics, while stressing that the federation's ambitions remain much higher, with a new generation of talented athletes capable of delivering further success and elevating Qatar's profile on the international stage.  

Zunyi, China: Qatar’s artistic gymnastics team delivered an impressive performance at the 2026 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships, with both Mehrdad Ghadimi and Rakan Al Harith securing places in the apparatus finals of the continental event currently being held in Zunyi, China, from 18 to 21 June.The achievement marks a significant milestone for Qatari gymnastics, particularly given the high calibre of the competition, which features World and Olympic medalists alongside Asia’s leading gymnasts.Mehrdad Ghadimi advanced to the Rings Final after producing an outstanding display during the qualification round, earning his place among the continent’s elite specialists on the apparatus.Rakan Al Harith also booked his place in the Pommel Horse Final following a confident and technically accomplished routine, continuing the progress he has demonstrated on the international stage and underlining the growing strength of Qatari gymnastics.The Qatari delegation travelled to China under the leadership of Mr. Ali Al Hitmi, President of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation and First Vice President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), accompanied by athletes Mehrdad Ghadimi and Rakan Al Harith.Commenting on the achievement, Mr. Al Hitmi praised the performances of both gymnasts and described their qualification for the finals as a major accomplishment for Qatari sport.“Qualifying two gymnasts for apparatus finals at a championship of this level is a remarkable achievement and reflects the progress being made by Qatari gymnastics,” he said. “The competition includes some of the best gymnasts in the world and Asia, making this result even more significant.”He added: “This success is the outcome of the hard work and commitment shown by our athletes, coaches and administrative staff, as well as the long-term development programmes implemented by the Federation. We are proud of what has been achieved and look forward to seeing both gymnasts perform strongly in their respective finals.”Al Hitmi also acknowledged the continued support provided by the Qatar Olympic Committee, emphasizing its important role in helping national federations develop athletes capable of competing successfully at the highest regional, continental and international levels.The qualification of both Ghadimi and Al Harith further highlights the steady rise of Qatari gymnastics on the Asian stage and reinforces the Federation’s ambitions of achieving even greater success in major international competitions.