QTerminals Qatar Classic Squash Championship Continues as Top Seeds Advance

DOHA -  The 2026 QTerminals Qatar Classic Squash Championship continued successfully on Sunday, with the tournament featuring some of the world's leading players and organised by the Qatar Squash Federation.Seven second-round matches were played on Sunday, with the remaining matches scheduled for Monday on the main glass court at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.Egypt's Mostafa Asal, the world No. 1, advanced to the quarter-finals with a commanding 3-0 victory over Switzerland's Yannick Wilhelmi, winning 11-5, 11-4, 11-3. Asal's victory underlined his strong form and kept him firmly in contention for the title. He will contest his quarter-final on Tuesday.England's Marwan ElShorbagy also booked his place in the last eight after defeating compatriot Curtis Malik 3-0, winning 11-5, 11-9, 11-7.France's Gregoire Marche secured another quarter-final berth after overcoming American Timothy Brownell 3-1 in a closely contested encounter. Marche lost the opening game 5-11 before responding strongly to win the next three 11-6, 11-7, 11-9.Brownell had produced one of the tournament's biggest upsets in the opening round on Saturday, defeating third-seeded Peruvian Diego Elias, a two-time Qatar Classic champion in 2021 and 2024, 3-2.In the women's competition, defending champion and world No. 1 Hania El Hammamy of Egypt reached the quarter-finals with a convincing 3-0 victory over England's Lucy Turmel.El Hammamy controlled the contest from the outset, winning 11-4, 11-9, 11-7 to continue her title defence in impressive fashion. Fellow Egyptian Nouran Gohar also progressed to the quarter-finals after overcoming compatriot Malak Khafagy in a marathon 91-minute battle.Gohar prevailed 3-2 in a fiercely contested match, winning 11-7, 9-11, 13-11, 12-14, 11-9.Malaysia's world No. 4 Sivasangari Subramaniam also advanced after defeating Egypt's Salma Hany 3-0. The Malaysian won 12-10, 11-6, 11-5.Belgium's Tinne Gilis completed the list of women's quarter-finalists from Sunday's matches after overcoming rising Indian star Anahat Singh in a five-game battle.Gilis won 11-4, 8-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-3 to progress to the next round. Singh, the reigning world junior champion, had caused a major upset in the opening round on Saturday by defeating Egypt's Farida Mohamed, the world No. 16, 3-2.  

Saud bin Ali and Al Buenain attend FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup final

Berlin: H.E. Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al Thani, President of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), and H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, attended today the final of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026, held in Berlin, Germany.  The final brought together the United States and France, with the USA claiming a 97-79 victory to secure the world title for the fifth consecutive time and the 12th time in their history.The game was also attended by Dr. Ahmad Abdulla Al Buenain, Director General of the Local Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, along with a number of officials from FIBA, continental and national federations, as well as several sports figures.H.E. Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Vice Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup Qatar 2027, had also participated in the “Women in Basketball Forum,” organized by FIBA on the sidelines of the tournament and attended by leading figures and representatives from the sports, media and business sectors. 

QTerminals Qatar Classic 2026 Gets Off to Exciting Start in Doha

Doha: The QTerminals Qatar Classic 2026 got underway at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on Saturday, with the opening day producing several impressive performances and a major upset in the men’s draw.The tournament, featuring many of the world’s leading men’s and women’s players, runs until September 18.Men’s world No. 1 Mostafa Asal of Egypt made a commanding start to his campaign with a 3–0 victory over Switzerland’s Nicolas Mueller, winning 11–6, 11–6, 11–4.Asal will face another Swiss player, Yannick Wilhelmi, in Sunday’s second round. Wilhelmi recovered from two games down to defeat Scotland’s Greg Lobban 3–2 (9–11, 7–11, 11–3, 11–7, 11–8).Defending champion Paul Coll of New Zealand also advanced in straight games, defeating India’s Veer Chotrani 11–2, 11–3, 11–1. Coll will next meet Switzerland’s Dimitri Steinmann, who overcame India’s Abhay Singh 3–0 (11–7, 11–9, 14–12).The biggest upset of the opening day came when American Timothy Brownell knocked out world No. 3 and two-time Qatar champion Diego Elias of Peru. Brownell recovered from two games down to claim a 3–2 victory (5–11, 9–11, 11–6, 11–5, 11–7).Qatar’s Abdulla Al Tamimi, making his return to competition following an injury layoff, was beaten 3–1 by Egypt’s Karim Abdel Gawad (11–7, 15–13, 5–11, 11–8).Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA) after the match, Al Tamimi said he was pleased to return to competition at the Qatar Classic after receiving a wild card from the Organizing Committee.He said facing a player of Abdel Gawad’s calibre provided valuable preparation ahead of his participation with Team Qatar at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, which will be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4.Al Tamimi added that his focus will now turn to the Asian Games, where he hopes to win a medal for Qatar. He will continue training in Doha with his national team teammates before travelling to Japan.Abdel Gawad, meanwhile, praised the organization of the Qatar Classic and wished Qatar’s squash players success at the Asian Games. He described the Doha tournament as one of the major events on the international squash calendar and said he hopes to make a deep run and challenge for another title.Elsewhere in the men’s draw, France’s Victor Crouin, the fifth seed, defeated Egypt’s Fares Dessouky 3–0 (11–8, 11–8, 11–7), while three-time world junior champion Mohamed Zakaria of Egypt overcame Germany’s Raphael Kandra 3–1 (11–4, 11–3, 5–11, 11–5).England’s Marwan ElShorbagy, the seventh seed, recorded a 3–0 victory over Spain’s Bernat Jaume (11–5, 11–7, 11–7). France’s Baptiste Masotti edged Colombia’s Juan Vargas 3–2, while Egypt’s Mohamed Abouelghar defeated England’s Declan James 3–0.In the women’s draw, world No. 1 and defending champion Hania El Hammamy began her title defence with a 3–1 victory over fellow Egyptian Hana Moataz.Second seed Amina Orfi defeated compatriot Hana Ramadan 3–0, while third seed and 2024 champion Nour El Sherbini advanced with a 3–1 victory over Egypt’s Nada Abbas.Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam, the fourth seed, beat Egypt’s Sana Ibrahim 3–1, while Egypt’s Nouran Gohar made a successful return to competition following a five-month absence, defeating compatriot Kenzy Ayman 3–0.One of the standout results in the women’s draw came from India’s rising star Anahat Singh, who defeated Egypt’s Farida Mohamed 3–2. Egypt’s Malak Khafagy also secured a five-game victory over Malaysia’s Aira Azman.In other matches, Egypt’s Fayrouz Aboelkheir defeated compatriot Nadine El Hammamy 3–0, while Malaysia’s Aifa Azman recorded a 3–1 victory over American Marina Stefanoni.

Moldova Sweep Six Gold Medals at FISU World University Weightlifting Championship

Doha: Moldova dominated the fourth day of the 10th FISU World University Weightlifting Championship – Doha 2026, sweeping all six gold medals on offer at Education City.The championship, which concludes on September 12, features 116 male and female athletes representing 21 countries, further strengthening Qatar’s presence on the international university sports calendar.Competition on the fourth day featured two weight categories, with two groups contesting the women’s 77kg event and one group competing in the men’s 95kg category.In the women’s 77kg competition, which featured 18 weightlifters, Moldova’s Alexandrina Ciubotaru completed a clean sweep of the three gold medals. She lifted 102kg in the snatch and 122kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 224kg.South Korea’s Kim Jae-hyeon claimed silver in the snatch with 99kg and in the total with 215kg, while the USA’s Andrea Barrows took silver in the clean and jerk after lifting 121kg.Chinese Taipei’s Yang Shu-ting earned two bronze medals, lifting 98kg in the snatch and recording a total of 213kg. South Korea’s Shin Hyo-rin took bronze in the clean and jerk with 117kg.Moldova continued their dominance in the men’s 95kg competition, where Teodor Bratu swept all three gold medals. He lifted 159kg in the snatch and 191kg in the clean and jerk for a winning total of 350kg.Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Chin-chia finished with two silver medals and a bronze, taking silver in the snatch with 157kg and the total with 342kg, as well as bronze in the clean and jerk with 185kg.The USA’s Robert Brooks also collected two medals, taking silver in the clean and jerk with 185kg and bronze in the total with 335kg, while Spain’s Eki Lizaso Beringas earned bronze in the snatch with 152kg.Sarita Morales Brenes, a member of the International Control Committee of the International University Sports Federation (FISU), presented the medals to the winners of the women’s 77kg and men’s 95kg competitions.The championship concludes on Saturday with four weight categories: the women’s 86kg and +86kg, and the men’s 110kg and +110kg.On the other hand, Qatar’s Ouissal Ikhlef will compete in the women’s +86kg category on the final day on Saturday.The event represents Ikhlef’s final competitive appearance before joining Team Qatar for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, which begin in Japan later this month. She will be looking to build on her international experience against a strong field in Doha.Ouissal Ikhlef has enjoyed a successful season, highlighted by three medals at the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Gandhinagar, India, where she claimed two silver medals and a bronze in the +86kg category.She also produced an outstanding performance at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games, winning three gold medals in the +86kg category after topping the snatch, clean and jerk and total standings, with a combined lift of 277kg.Her appearance at the World University Championship provides another important competitive test as she continues preparations for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in Japan. 

Team Qatar Basketball Lose to Jordan at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games

Tokyo: Team Qatar’s men’s basketball team suffered a 76–65 defeat to Jordan on Saturday in their second Group B match at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, which officially open in Japan on September 19 and run until October 4.Qatar had opened their campaign with a 59–53 victory over Iran and will face Chinese Taipei on Sunday in their final preliminary-round match.The men’s basketball competition features 12 teams divided into three groups. Group A comprises Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia, while Group B features Qatar, Iran, Jordan and Chinese Taipei. China, the Philippines, Bahrain and Kazakhstan make up Group C.The knockout rounds will follow the conclusion of the preliminary stage, culminating in the final on Sunday, September 20, when the men’s basketball champions will be crowned.Qatar are participating in the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games with a delegation of 243 athletes – 184 men and 59 women – representing 18 sports federations.At the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, in 2023, Qatar won 14 medals, comprising five gold, six silver and three bronze. 

Qatar Name U23 Football Squad for Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games

Doha: The Qatar Football Association (QFA) has announced the final 23-player squad that will represent Qatar in the men’s football competition at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, to be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4.Qatar U23 head coach José Ángel Lacunza named a squad featuring goalkeepers Abubakar Mohammed, Jalal Amir and Mohammed Fawzi, alongside Mohammed Hani, Faisal Mohammed, Yaman Jarrar, Bassam Adel, Zaid Burhan, Ali Shehabi, Alwaleed Mohammed, Atef Magdy, Jassim Al Hamad, Mohammed Ali, Muath Ibrahim, Yousef Mohammed, Nawaf Al Yahri, Tamim Al Qadi, Ziad Fadi, Qais Al Rawi, Nasser Adel, Mohammed Khaled, Marwan Sherif and Ghanem Al Menhali.The Qatari delegation departed Doha for Japan early on Friday, with the football competition scheduled to begin on September 15, four days before the Asian Games Opening Ceremony.Qatar have been drawn in Group D alongside South Korea and Saudi Arabia, with the three teams competing for two places in the quarterfinals.A total of 15 teams will compete in the men’s football tournament, divided into four groups. Three groups feature four teams each, while Qatar’s Group D comprises three teams.The preliminary stage will be played in a single round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals. The competition will then continue on a knockout basis through to the semifinals, bronze-medal match and final.