Key Details of the Doha Fencing Grand Prix 2026 Announced

DOHA - The organizing committee of the Doha 2026 Grand Prix Fencing Championship unveiled details of the new edition of the tournament to be held from January 23 to 25 at the Aspire Hall.Present at the launch press conference at Aspire Academy on Sunday were Abdullah Ali Al Ghanim, President of the Qatar Fencing Federation, Ali Salem Afifa, Deputy Director General of Aspire Academy, Khalid Suwaid, Tournament Director, Hamad Saad Al Jassim, Deputy Tournament Director, and members of the federation.Abdullah Ali Al Ghanim, President of the Qatar Fencing Federation, said that this is the 21st edition of the tournament, is considered as one of the largest Grand Prix tournaments organized by the International Fencing Federation.Hamad Saad Al Jassim, Deputy Director of the Championship, confirmed that this year’s edition will witness the participation of 433 male and female players, with 254 male players and 179 female players representing 53 countries, led by the top three ranked players in the world in the two categories, and Olympic champions, including Japanese Koki Kano, winner of the gold medal at Paris 2024 Olympics, winners of the Tokyo Olympics, and Belgian Nacer Lajola, winner of the title of the previous edition of the Grand Prix Fencing Championship in Doha.Regarding Arab participation, Al Jassem said the tournament will see participation of players from eight Arab countries: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Tunisia, and the UAE.He pointed out that Qatar will participate with 9 players, 5 men and 4 women, namely: Youssef Abdel-Tawab, Mohammed Abdel Ali, Mohammed Al Hazza, Abdulrahman Al Jadra, Ali Al Khalaf, Fatima Al Madid, Dhikrayat Al Abdullah, Wadha Al Abdullah, and Sheikha Ali. They have prepared for this event by participating in many external tournaments, whether continental or Arab, and also through internal and external preparatory camps.He also noted that the tournament will see the participation of 19 referees managing the competitions, including 3 referees from Qatar, namely Mohammed Al Tairi, Mohammed Basahel and Bashir Al Sharbaji.The deputy director of the tournament said that the organizing committee relies heavily on volunteers to make the tournament a success, and their number in the current edition has exceeded 150 volunteers, which is a very large number... praising their important role in the successful organization of the competitions.Al Jassim has invited the public to attend the tournament competitions at Aspire and enjoy watching the world and Olympic champions.Ali Salem Afifa, Deputy Director General of Aspire Academy, expressed his pride that the Grand Prix Fencing Championship (Doha 2026) will be held at the Aspire Academy Hall, describing the championship as one of the most successful championships in which a large number of the academy’s students participate and we look forward to them achieving positive results.He said: “We have been partners with the Qatar Fencing Federation since 2006 to hold this tournament in Aspire, and we will provide all support to the federation. There are agreements between us, and we wish them success.”Prizes totaling $22,000, with $11,000 will be distributed to the winners of the top three places in the men’s category and the same among the winners in the women’s category. The winner of first place in the men’s or women’s category receives $5,000, the runner-up receives $3,000, and the third place player receives $1,500. 

Strong Start to Trap Shooting at Asian Shotgun Championship Doha 2026

DOHA — Trap shooting competitions got off to an exciting start today on the seventh day of the Asian Shotgun Championship Doha 2026, currently taking place at the Lusail Shooting Range Complex. The championship will continue until next Wednesday, with the participation of 196 male and female shooters representing 17 countries.Today’s competitions were intense and highly competitive, featuring qualification rounds in the Trap event for men’s, women’s, junior, youth, and team categories.In the men’s individual event, two qualification rounds were held, with shooters firing at 50 targets (25 in each round). Kazakhstan’s Mark Bukeivalov topped the standings with 49 hits, followed by Kuwait’s Talal Al-Rashidi in second place with the same score, while his compatriot Abdulrahman Al-Faihan finished third, also with 49.The women’s individual event also saw two qualification rounds over 50 targets. Qatari shooter Ray Bassil led the field with 48 hits, ahead of Kazakhstan’s Elenora Ibragimova in second place with 47, while China’s Zian Wang claimed third place with 46.In the junior men’s individual category, three qualification rounds were held, with shooters competing over 75 targets. Chinese Taipei’s Hao Jiun Shuang secured first place with 70 hits, followed by Kazakhstan’s Asylzhan Aisalbayev with 68, and his compatriot Anton Pleskiy in third with 66.In the youth women’s individual category (Asian Grand Prix), which featured eight shooters competing over three rounds, Kazakhstan dominated the top five positions. Laila Shantykova claimed first place with 63 hits, followed by her teammate Aiyolym Zabagiyeva with 62, while Milana Babshikina finished third with 59.In the men’s team event, the UAE topped the standings with 144 hits, ahead of Kuwait in second place with 143, and Kazakhstan in third with 140. Team Qatar finished fourth with 138.In the women’s team event, Kazakhstan claimed first place with 135 hits, followed by Chinese Taipei with 125, and Kuwait with 124. Team Qatar placed fourth with 120.In the junior team category, Kazakhstan led the qualification rounds with 192 hits, Lebanon finished second with 186, while Team Qatar secured third place with 185.The championship continues tomorrow, Monday, with the remaining qualification rounds for all individual and team categories. These will be followed by the junior men’s and youth women’s finals and the medal ceremonies for the top three finishers.Qatar’s shooters had earlier enjoyed a highly successful campaign in the Skeet event, winning six medals three gold and three silver. The gold medals came through Muteb Al-Marrri, who also set new Asian and world records in the junior men’s skeet, the men’s team event featuring Rashid Saleh Al-Athba, Mohammed Ahmed Al-Kuwari and Ali Ahmed Al-Ishaq, and the mixed team event won by Rashid Saleh Al-Athba and Reem Al-Sharshani.Qatar’s three silver medals were claimed in the junior team event by Muteb Al-Marrri, Jassim Mohammed Al-Yafei and Abdulrahman Ahmed Al-Harmi, in the women’s individual event by Reem Al-Sharshani, and in the women’s team event by Reem Al-Sharshani, Sara Mohammed and Hajar Mohammed.Qatar’s shooters now look to continue their positive momentum in the Trap event, aiming to add more medals and stand on the podium at this major continental championship. 

High-Level Action continues on Day Six of Asian Shotgun Championship Doha 2026

DOHA  – Competition remained intense on the sixth day of the Asian Shotgun Championship Doha 2026, currently being held at the Lusail Shooting Range Complex and running through next Wednesday. The continental event has brought together 196 male and female shooters from 17 countries, creating a highly competitive atmosphere.The sixth day featured official training sessions for the Trap discipline across all categories, including men’s and women’s individual events, junior boys and girls, as well as mixed team competitions.Shooters from all participating nations took part in the training, alongside a strong presence from the Qatari national team, as all athletes showed good form and high readiness ahead of the Trap qualification rounds, which begin on Sunday.The championship schedule continues on Monday with the finals of the junior men’s and junior women’s individual events, followed by the medal ceremonies. On Tuesday, the finals of the men’s and women’s individual events and the junior mixed team competition will be held, with medals awarded to the top finishers.The championship will conclude on Wednesday, 21 January, with the mixed team final (men and women), followed by the official medal presentation.The Skeet competitions concluded on Friday, with Team Qatar delivering an outstanding performance by winning six medals three gold and three silver. The gold medals were secured in the junior men’s individual event, the men’s team event, and the mixed team event, while the silver medals came in the junior team, women’s individual, and women’s team events.Following their impressive results in Skeet, Qatari shooters now set their sights on the Trap competitions, aiming to continue their strong run and add more medals at this prestigious Asian championship. 

WTT Star Contender Doha 2026 Table Tennis Championship Caps Off Sunday

DOHA  - The WTT Star Contender Doha 2026 table tennis championship is set to cap off on Sunday, with the finals at Lusail Sports Arena, featuring the mixed doubles final, followed by the women's doubles final, and culminating in the men's singles final.The tournament, the second milestone in the 31st Qatar International Combined Table Tennis Series, has produced a broad range of significant surprises, foremost among them in the men's singles competition.In a dramatic top-flight performance on Saturday afternoon, German elite athlete Dimitrij Ovtcharov delivered a powerful display to topple the world No. 1, Chinese star Lin Shidong, with a scoreline of 11-9, 11-9, 3-11, 11-9.This triumph represents the crescendo of a comeback for Ovtcharov, who endured a series of injuries over the past two seasons before rekindling his elite form through standout appearances in the WTT Champions circuit.Lin's exit was a major shock in the title race, but it was not the only surprise, as third-seeded Japanese competitor Tomokazu Harimoto also bowed out in the round of 16, losing a tightly contested match to Xiu Fei by 11-3, 5-11, 11-6, 12-14, 11-9 in a contest that remained thrilling to its final moments.Harimoto had only last month secured the title at the WTT Hong Kong 2025 finals, affirming his place among the elite global players.In the women's draw, the tournament also showcased a sensational upset, with top seed Kwai Man eliminated in straight sets by Japan's Hitomi Sato, 13-11, 11-9, 11-7.The tournament began last Tuesday at Lusail Sports Arena, drawing 170 contenders from around the globe and offering a total cash prize of USD 300,000. The event followed closely on the heels of the WTT Champions Doha 2026, which featured high-caliber competition among the sport's top stars.As the Star Contender championship closes, play will resume on Monday with the Contender Youth competition through January 22, followed by the Star Contender Youth from January 23 to 25, and the series will culminate with the Feeder Championship from January 27 to 31.This ongoing hosting of world-class table tennis competitions underscores Qatar's advanced standing on the WTT stage, along with the nation's capability of organizing major tournaments to the highest organizational standards.In essence, Qatar leverages its sophisticated infrastructure and leading expertise in hosting international sporting events.  

Qatar handball team defeat Oman at Asian Championship in Kuwait

Kuwait: The Qatar handball team opened their campaign at the 22nd Asian Men’s Handball Championship with a convincing 27–15 victory over Oman, in a Group A match of the tournament currently underway in Kuwait and running until January 26. The championship also serves as a qualifier for the IHF World Championship 2027.Qatar imposed their control from the opening whistle, delivering a strong performance at both ends of the court and dictating the rhythm of the match through disciplined defense and effective attacking play, before sealing a comprehensive win and an ideal continental start.Qatar will face South Korea national handball team in their next Group A fixture on Tuesday, in a highly anticipated encounter.The draw placed Qatar in Group A alongside South Korea and Oman. Group B includes Bahrain, Iraq, China and Jordan, while Group C features Kuwait, the UAE, Hong Kong and India. Group D comprises Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Australia.The top two teams from each group advance to the main round, which will feature eight teams divided into two groups playing a round-robin format. The top two teams from each main-round group will qualify for the semifinals, in addition to securing direct qualification for the 2027 World Championship.Qatar are aiming to retain the Asian title they have won in the last six consecutive editions and to qualify for the World Championship for the 11th time in their history. Their best-ever finish at the global stage came at Qatar 2015, where they claimed second place.The Qatari team were crowned champions of the 21st edition of the Asian Men’s Handball Championship, held in Bahrain last year, after defeating Japan national handball team 30–24 in the final. 

Qatar Wins Gold in Mixed Team Skeet at Asian Shotgun Championships Doha 2026

Doha:  Qatari shooters Rashid Saleh Al Athba and Reem Al Sharshani won the gold medal in the mixed team skeet competition on the fifth day of the Asian Shotgun Championships Doha 2026, currently being held at the Lusail Shooting Complex. The competition continues until next Wednesday, with 196 male and female shooters representing 17 countries participating.Today's competitions were intense and exciting, featuring the qualifying rounds for the mixed team skeet event, followed by the final round. The Qatari team, comprised of shooters Rashid Saleh Al Athba and Reem Al Sharshani, secured first place and the gold medal with a score of 47 targets. The South Korean team, consisting of shooters Jang Soo-hwang and Koki Jang, finished second with 45 targets, winning the silver medal. The Kazakh team, consisting of shooters Eduard Yashchenko and Asim Urnbay, took the bronze medal after finishing third with 39 targets.With this victory, the Qatari team raised their medal tally to six in the skeet competition: three gold and three silver.With the conclusion of the skeet competitions today, the championship continues tomorrow, Saturday, for its sixth day, with official training sessions for the trap shooting competition across all categories: men, women, juniors, and youth. Qualifying rounds for the trap event will begin on Sunday, followed by the individual finals for juniors and youth, and the awards ceremony on Monday.The individual finals for men, women, and mixed junior teams, along with the awards ceremony, will take place on Tuesday. The championship will conclude on Wednesday, January 21st, with the mixed team final (men and women), followed by the awarding of prizes to the top three finishers.Secretary General of Qatar Shooting and Archery Association (QSAA) and Director of the Championship, Jassim Shaheen Al Sulaiti expressed his delight at the victory of Qatari national team shooters Rashid Saleh Al Athba and Reem Al Sharshani, who won the gold medal in the mixed team skeet competition at the Asian Shotgun Championships currently being held in Doha at the Lusail Shooting Complex.Al Sulaiti told the Qatar News Agency (QNA): "The season started very strongly with our shooters' participation in the Asian Shotgun Championship, which saw the participation of Asian and world champions. Our shooters managed to win six medals: three gold and three silver. This is a testament to the continuous work of the Qatari national team's technical staff." He added that these achievements were made possible thanks to the ongoing support of the Qatar Olympic Committee, headed by HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, and also from Dr. Meshaal Ibrahim Al Nasr, President of QSAA, who is keen to provide all the necessary resources for Qatari shooters, including training camps and top-level coaches, to achieve the best results.Al Sulaiti explained that this diligent work will continue in upcoming competitions so that Qatari shooters can reach the podium in various events and bring honor to Qatari sports regionally and internationally.Regarding the trap competition, which begins tomorrow as part of the Asian Championship, the tournament director said: "Our shooters are ready for the trap competition and are looking forward to continuing their success, similar to the skeet competition."Al Sulaiti affirmed that QSAA received numerous accolades for the impressive organization of the Asian Shotgun Championship from all participating delegations and shooters, as well as from the Asian Shooting Confederation, headed by HE Sheikh Salman Al Hamoud Al Sabah. He noted that this is not surprising for Qatar and its Shooting Association, which has distinguished itself in organizing various world and Asian championships for the sport.In closing, Al Sulaiti stated that Qatar will host the World Shooting Championship next November, which serves as a qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He explained that the Qatari national team will prepare for this event by participating in several upcoming local, Gulf, Arab, and continental competitions, culminating in the World Championship in Qatar at the end of this year. He wished all the shooters success in the remaining competitions of the Asian Shotgun Championship in Doha.