Doha Fencing Grand Prix 2026 to begin on Friday

Doha: The competitions of the Doha Fencing Grand Prix 2026 (men’s and women’s épée) will get underway tomorrow, Friday, at Aspire, and will continue for three days. The event is organised by the Qatar Fencing Federation under the supervision of the International Fencing Federation (FIE).The championship features the participation of 433 athletes (254 men and 179 women) representing 53 countries, including eight Arab nations: Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.The Qatar Fencing Federation has completed all preparations through its ten organising committees to ensure the championship is delivered to the highest standards and to present an exceptional and distinguished edition of the event.The tournament will bring together world and Olympic champions, including the top three-ranked athletes globally in both categories. Among them are Japanese fencer Koki Kano, gold medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, several Olympic champions from Tokyo, as well as Belgian fencer Neisser Loyola, the winner of the previous edition of the Doha Grand Prix.Qatar will be represented by nine fencers (five men and four women): Youssef Abdel Tawab, Mohammed Abdulali, Mohammed Al-Hazzaz, Abdulrahman Al-Jidrah and Ali Al-Khalaf, in addition to Fatima Al-Madeed, Zikrayat Al-Abdullah, Wadha Al-Abdullah and Sheikha Ali.Qatari national team athletes are aiming to progress to the advanced rounds and achieve strong results to improve their international rankings. They have prepared thoroughly for the championship through participation in several continental and Arab tournaments, as well as through local and overseas training camps.The competitions will be officiated by 19 referees, including three Qatari referees: Mohammed Al-Tairi, Mohammed Basahil and Bashir Al-Sharbaji.This edition will also see the participation of a large number of volunteers, with their number exceeding 150 volunteers, contributing to the successful organisation of the championship.The championship offers total prize money of USD 22,000, with USD 11,000 allocated to the men’s competition and an equal amount to the women’s competition. The first-place winner in each category will receive USD 5,000, the runner-up USD 3,000, while both third-place finishers will receive USD 1,500 each.The Doha Epée Grand Prix 2026 is considered one of the top three fencing tournaments worldwide, alongside the Grand Prix events in Hungary and Colombia. Leading international fencers are keen to participate annually due to the significant ranking points awarded, which have a major impact on the world rankings.Mr. Hamad Saad Al-Jassim, Deputy Tournament Director, confirmed that all arrangements have been finalised for the launch of the championship tomorrow, aiming to deliver an outstanding edition that adds to the Qatar Fencing Federation’s record of successful hosting.In statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Al-Jassim said that the organising committee has fully prepared the competition hall, where bouts will be held across 16 pistes, in addition to the main piste designated for the finals.He noted that all participating delegations have arrived in Doha and conducted training sessions on Wednesday and Thursday at Aspire, following comprehensive inspection and testing of all equipment.Al-Jassim explained that competition will begin tomorrow with the women’s preliminary rounds, followed by the Round of 128, concluding the first day with the Round of 64. Men’s competitions will take place on Saturday, starting with preliminary rounds and followed by the Round of 64.The championship will conclude on Sunday, with the continuation of the women’s Round of 64, then the Round of 32, Round of 16 and quarter-finals. Men’s competitions will then resume from the Round of 64 through to the quarter-finals, followed in the evening by the semi-finals and finals for both men and women, and the medal ceremonies.He also confirmed that medical teams, the anti-doping control committee, and the Qatar Red Crescent will be present throughout the three days of competition 

Qatar beat Saudi in Asian Men’s Handball Championship

Kuwait: Qatar opened their campaign in the main round of the Asian Men’s Handball Championship with a 32-25 win over Saudi Arabia on Thursday.Ahmad Madadi led the scoring for Qatar with eight goals, followed by Frankis Marzo with six, while Rafael Capote and Nasreddine Megdich added four goals each. Qatar will take on Bahrain on Friday, before meeting United Arab Emirates tomorrow in search of a place in the semi-finals.The tournament, currently being held in Sabah Al-Salem, Kuwait, also serves as a qualifier for the World Men’s Handball Championship 

Team Qatar Strikes Gold as Asian Shotgun Championship Ends

DOHA – Team Qatar crowned a brilliant campaign by winning the mixed team trap gold medal on the final day of the Asian Shotgun Championship at the Lusail Shooting Complex in Doha.The Qatari pair Mohammed Al Rumaihi and Kholoud Al Khalaf delivered a superb performance, defeating strong competition from Kuwait and Chinese Taipei. The duo smashed 30 of 40 targets, a remarkable score that set a new Asian and world record.Kuwait’s team of Talal Al Rashidi and Sarah Al Hawal claimed the silver medal with 20 hits, while Kai Pang-chan and Lin Yu-chen of Chinese Taipei secured bronze after scoring 19.With this gold, Qatar wrapped up the championship with an impressive eight medals — four gold and four silver. Six medals came from skeet events, while two were earned in trap, confirming Qatar’s strong presence on the Asian shooting stage. 

Qatar to Face Saudi Arabia in Asian Handball Main Round

KUWAIT – Defending champions Qatar will begin their main round campaign at the 22nd Asian Men’s Handball Championship with a crucial clash against Saudi Arabia tomorrow, Thursday, as the tournament continues in Kuwait until January 29.The championship also serves as a qualifier for the 2027 IHF World Handball Championship, scheduled to be held in Germany.Team Qatar advanced to the main round after finishing second in Group A. The holders opened their campaign with a convincing 27–15 victory over Oman, before narrowly losing 32–31 to South Korea in their final group match. South Korea topped the group, with both teams securing qualification to the main round.In the main round, Qatar will compete in Group B alongside Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, while Group A features Kuwait, Iraq, Japan, and South Korea.The Qatari side is aiming for a strong start against Saudi Arabia before facing Bahrain on Friday and wrapping up their group fixtures against the UAE on January 25.The top two teams from each main round group will advance to the semifinals and secure direct qualification for the 2027 World Championship.Qatar are targeting a seventh consecutive Asian title, having lifted the trophy in the last six editions, and are also chasing their 11th appearance at the World Championship. Their best-ever World Championship finish came in 2015, when they claimed silver on home soil.The Qatari national team claimed the Asian crown in the previous edition, held in Bahrain last year, after defeating Japan 30–24 in the final, and now look to continue their dominance on the continental stage. 

QOC Half Marathon Elevates Sport for Life While Uniting Communities Through Olympic Values

DOHA – The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) is preparing to stage the second edition of its annual Half Marathon in 2026, scheduled for Tuesday, 10 February, along Lusail Boulevard, coinciding with Qatar National Sport Day. The event reflects the QOC’s continued commitment to spreading sports culture and promoting an active, healthy lifestyle across all segments of society.The race features a wide range of thoughtfully designed categories to ensure broad participation. A 1-kilometre race is dedicated to children aged 6 to 14, while a 5-kilometre race is open to boys and girls aged 15 to 17. Open categories for men and women aged 19 to 39 will compete over distances of 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km, alongside similar categories for participants aged 40 and above.The competition also includes dedicated “Team Qatar ” categories for men and women aged 19 to 39, as well as 40 years and above, across the same distances of 5 km, 10 km, and 21 km, ensuring inclusive participation and a comprehensive sporting experience for all.The QOC Half Marathon 2026 will also host a Fun Run under the umbrella of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), in cooperation with the Qatar School Sports Federation, aiming to highlight the role of sport within the educational environment and further instill Olympic values among all participants.In this context, Mr. Ahmed Al-Jaber, Head of the Technical Committee of the QOC Half Marathon 2026 Organising Committee, affirmed that the participation of the Olympic Council of Asia and the Qatar School Sports Federation represents a valuable addition that enhances the stature of the event and contributes to its promotion at both continental and international levels, while serving as a practical embodiment of the “Sport for Life” slogan.Mr. Al-Jaber also confirmed that representatives from the Olympic Council of Asia will take part in the Fun Run, in addition to attending National Sport Day activities and visiting Team Village at Al Sa'ad Plaza, which will serve as a vibrant hub for accompanying events and activities.The Half Marathon will be complemented by a diverse programme of sporting and recreational activities at Team Village, organised in collaboration with several national sports federations and supported by a range of partners. Leading partners include Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, the event’s host, ASICS, the renowned Japanese sportswear brand, Doha Bank, alongside the Ministry of Interior and Hamad Medical Corporation, with strong support from dedicated volunteers.The Organising Committee has renewed its invitation to all eligible categories to register via the dedicated link on the Qatar Olympic Committee’s official website, in accordance with approved terms and conditions. This comes as part of its ambition to expand participation, increasing the number of runners from 6,000 in the inaugural edition to 10,000 participants in the second edition, from within Qatar and abroad, further strengthening the event’s international and competitive character.The Organising Committee reaffirmed its determination to deliver a second edition that meets the highest organizational and technical standards, ensuring an outstanding sporting experience for participants, reinforcing a culture of physical activity within Qatari society, and supporting the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 toward building a healthy and active community. 

Qatar U13 table tennis team record positive results at WTT Youth Contender Doha 2026

DOHA: Qatar’s Under-13 table tennis team recorded encouraging results at the WTT Youth Contender Doha 2026, currently taking place at Lusail Sports Hall and running until January 22.Qatar’s Rasha Laghraibi claimed second place in the Under-13 category after losing the final to Egypt’s Malak Zaki 3–0. Laghraibi had earlier secured a 3–0 victory in the semifinals against fellow Qatari player Alia Al-Baz, who finished third.In the boys’ Under-13 competition, Qatar’s Rabia Al-Kuwari earned third place after suffering a 3–1 defeat in the semifinals to Uganda’s Joseph Ssebatindira.In other results, Chinese Taipei’s Wu Wing won the Girls’ Under-17 title after defeating India’s Devyanshi 3–2, while Iran’s Benjamin Faraji claimed first place in the Under-17 category with a 3–0 victory over Hong Kong champion Man Long.Mohammed Al-Rumaihi, a board member of the Qatar Table Tennis Federation, praised the performances of Qatar’s national team players at the Youth Contender Championship.Al-Rumaihi said that the Qatari players were well prepared for the tournament through appropriate training camps, which had a positive impact on their results. He added that participation in this level of competition helps refine players’ skills and experience through exposure to athletes from different nationalities and playing schools, commending the high standards shown across all categories.Matches of the Youth Contender Championship will continue on Wednesday, with the competition concluding on Thursday, followed by the start of the Star Youth Contender tournament.The championship is part of the Qatar International Table Tennis Series, which includes five tournaments: the WTT Champions Qatar, Star Contender, Youth Contender, Youth Star Contender, and concludes with the Feeder Tournament, scheduled to take place from January 27 to 31.