Qatar’s Shewaiter wins 3m springboard diving gold

Doha: Qatar’s Mohamed Ahmed Shewaiter won gold in the 30-34 age group category of the 3m springboard diving at the World Aquatics Masters Championship, which began in Doha on Friday. Shewaiter tallied 258.70 points, to finish ahead of Finland’s Aatu Keranen (208.90 points) and Austria’s Makro Pervan (207.75 points) at the Hamad Aquatic Centre More than 2,500 athletes aged 25 and above from a record-breaking 85 different countries will compete in swimming, artistic swimming, open water swimming, water polo and diving at the Championships between 23 February and 3 March.   Following the successful hosting of the World Aquatics Championships in Qatar earlier in February, the Masters Championships will continue to drive forward a sporting legacy, uniting the region through water and encouraging more people to participate and benefit from aquatics. Once again events will be held across Doha’s world-class venues with Aspire Dome, Hamad Aquatic Center and the Old Doha Port providing the perfect conditions for athletes to compete at their very best. Doha 2024 Director General Khaleel Al Jaber attended the vibrant Ceremony alongside and World Aquatics Masters Technical Committee Chair Ms. Nadine Day as the nine days of competition began. Speaking at the Ceremony, Doha 2024 Director General Khaleel Al Jaber said: “Aquatic sports can benefit everyone across the globe, no matter your age, your experience or your background. These World Aquatics Masters Championships will inspire people of all ages and leave a legacy in Qatar and in the Middle East that aquatics is for everyone. “Your performances are shining examples of the joy that participating in sport can bring. Qatar believes strongly in the power of sport to promote social development and it is why we are so proud to host these Championships. We are delighted to welcome all the competitors to Doha.” World Aquatics Masters Committee Chairperson Ms Day said: “We have thousands of athletes throughout the world sharing the same passion for aquatic sports coming together for this World Masters Championships. Aquatics is a life-saving skill that one can enjoy through their lifetime. All the competitors will inspire people to stay active through water sports. They will show that age has no limits."   

Teen Mensik reaches first ATP final in Qatar

Doha: Czech teenager Jakub Mensik on Friday became the youngest ATP finalist since Carlos Alcaraz three years ago when he defeated French veteran Gael Monfils at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open. Mensik, 18, followed up his quarter-final win over fifth-ranked Andrey Rublev by seeing off 37-year-old Monfils 6-4, 1-6, 6-3. At 18 years and five months, Mensik is the fifth youngest ATP finalist since 2005 and youngest since Alcaraz went to the Umag championship match in 2021. Mensik, who will rise from 116 in the world to inside the top 100 next week, will take on Karen Khachanov in today’s final. “It’s amazing. It’s been an incredible week so far,” said Mensik who has also defeated former world number one and three-time major winner Andy Murray in Doha. The Qatar Open is just his third main draw event following breakout runs to the third round of the 2023 US Open and a second-round appearance at the Australian Open last month. “Gael played unbelievable. I know it is tough to play against him, especially with his good movement. For me every point I have to play my best game,” said Mensik. “I have to say this performance was one of the best in my entire life. I am so glad I reached this level in the semis, so hopefully tomorrow I play like this. An amazing feeling with my first ATP final. I am speechless.” Monfils was the Doha champion in 2018. Mensik was not even born when the crowd-pleasing French player made his maiden appearance at the tournament in 2005. “Gael is one of the biggest showmen on court. He is a great guy. The rallies were so fun with him,” added Mensik who saved nine of 12 break points patiently carved out by Monfils. He produced another impressive performance against Monfils. He recovered from a dip in the second set, crushing the ball with clean timing off both wings in the third set to triumph after one hour and 48 minutes. Mensik struck the ball well throughout against Monfils, who tried to use the drop shot to disrupt the Czech’s rhythm. At 4-3 in the third-set, Mensik gained the decisive break when he nailed a backhand winner down the line on break point. The 18-year-old, who saved 9/12 break points, then held serve to triumph. Following his win, Mensik let out a roar before he and Monfils shared a warm embrace at the net. Earlier, Russian Khachanov defeated Australia’s Alexei Popyrin 7-6 (14/12), 6-2 in his semi-final. Khachanov will be chasing his sixth tour-level title today. The big-hitting second seed rallied from a break down in the first set and saved three set points in the tie-break before converting on his fifth opportunity to move ahead. He then saved all four break points he faced in the second set to advance after one hour and 48 minutes. “It is really nice to play with a full crowd and energy,” Khachanov said. “It was a very emotional and tight tie-break. He was up and then I was up. One point made the difference and I think winning the first set was crucial to winning the match.”  

CHI Al Shaqab equestrian extravaganza from Thursday

DOHA - The 11th edition of CHI Al Shaqab begins on Thursday with elite riders from across the globe eyeing top honours at the three-day equestrian extravaganza. Action will begin with the CSI3* - 1.35m in the morning while the opening day will also feature the €105.500 CSI5*- 1.50m competition, which will see the likes of two-time reigning Doha Grand Prix champion Marcus Ehning (GER), legend John Whitaker (GBR) and Christian Ahlmann (GER) besides other top Olympic athletes in action. On Wednesday, the horses underwent mandatory veterinary checks as competitors braced for action at Longines Indoor and Outdoor arenas at Al Shaqab. This year’s edition of CHI A Shaqab has attracted a record-breaking number of entries with a total of 189 riders representing 37 countries taking part in the event featuring the Olympic equestrian disciplines of showjumping, dressage and para-dressage. The Concours de Saut International Children (CSICH) along with CSI 1*, CSI 2* and CSI 3*contests has been added to the event this year. The CSICH) will serve as a qualifier for children competing in the Group VII (MENA Region) for this year’s final. The CHI Al Shaqab will conclude on Saturday with the prestigious CHI Al Shaqab Grand Prix Presented by Longines to be competed among world’s best riders.  

World Aquatics Masters Championships to begin Friday

Doha: The World Aquatics Masters Championships - Doha 2024 will start on Friday with the participation of 2800 athletes. Running through March 3. the championships will feature competitions in swimming, water polo, diving, Artistic swimming, and open water swimming. The competitions will be held at the Aspire Dome (swimming and water polo), Hamad Aquatic Centre (diving and artistic swimming), and the Old Doha Port (open water swimming). The swimming pools at Qatar University and the Education City will be used for training sessions. Doha is set to host the Aquatics Masters Championships for first time, following the successful organization of the World Aquatics Championships, which concluded in Sunday. The first ever World Aquatics Masters Championships was held in Tokyo, Japan 1986. Since 2015, the tournament has been held directly after the World Aquatics Championships, in the same host city.   

Mensik upsets top seed Rublev to enter semi-final

Doha: Czech Republic Jakub Mensik celebrates after beating Russia’s Andrey Rublev in Qatar Exxonmobil Open quarter-final at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on Thursday. Czech Republic Jakub Mensik celebrates after beating Russia’s Andrey Rublev in Qatar Exxonmobil Open quarter-final at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on Thursday. Brazilian footballer Kaka (left) enjoying Qatar Exxonmobil Open quarter-finals on Thursday. Brazilian footballer Kaka (left) enjoying Qatar Exxonmobil Open quarter-finals on Thursday. Czech teenager Jakub Mensik stunned top seed Andrey Rublev in straight sets at the Qatar Open on Thursday to reach his maiden ATP semi-final and guarantee a spot in the world’s top 100 for the first time. The 18-year-old came through 6-4, 7-6 (8/6) against the fifth-ranked Rublev, a day after defeating three-time Grand Slam title winner Andy Murray. “It’s just been an incredible week. From the beginning I played very well and I knew I could play with the big players. It’s an amazing feeling to reach the semi-finals after beating those good players,” said wildcard Mensik who arrived in the Gulf ranked at 116. “But the job is not done yet. Hopefully I can play like this again in the semis and go on to make the final.” With his one-hour, 38-minute win on Thursday, Mensik became the youngest player to defeat a top-five player since Carlos Alcaraz overcame Stefanos Tsitsipas at the 2021 US Open. In a battle between two Frenchmen, wild card Monfils defeated third seed Ugo Humbert 6-2, 6-4 to become the oldest semi-finalist in tournament history aged 37 years and five months. Monfils has won his past seven matches in Doha, lifting the trophy in his previous appearance in 2018. He has also improved to 1-2 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with five-time tour-level champ Humbert. In other action, Alexei Popyrin advanced to his third tour-level semi-final and first of 2024, downing fourth seed Alexander Bublik 6-4, 6-4. The Australian is chasing his second title this week, after winning in Umag last season. Karen Khachanov also reached the last four after Finn Emil Ruusuvuori was forced to retire when trailing 0-3 in the first set due to a lower back injury. Khachanov will meet Popyrin today.  

Stage set for HH the Amir Grand Prix Shotgun Championship

Doha: The Qatar Shooting and Archery Federation (QSAF) announced the details of HH the Amir Grand Prix Shotgun Championship due to be held during Feb. 22 to Mar. 1 at Lusail Shooting Range with participation of large number of Qatar shooters, as well as world and Olympiad champions. This came during a press conference held at QSAF premises Wednesday in the presence of the official spokesman of the Federation Ahmed Al Kuwari, chairman of the Referees Committee Saud Al Qahtani and the tournament director Antonella Bartolomei. Al Kuwari welcomed the attendees and affirmed that the international Grand Prix Championship has been merged with HH the Amir Grand Prix Shotgun Championship to upgrade the level of Qatari shooters with international and Olympic shooters. He emphasized that the tournament has gone beyond local events to universalism and remained opened and accredited by the international federation. Qatar will host an international tournament in April, and it is qualified for Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, Al Kuwari highlighted, indicating that QSAF seeks to win the qualification card through upgrading the performance of its players and engaging them in many international championships. Commenting on the value of the financial awards, Al Kuwari pointed out that the total amount of the awards reached up to USD84,000, where winner of the first place will receive USD9,000, USD7,000 for winner of the second place and USD5,000 for winner of the third place, confirming that all preparations have been completed to launch the championship, in addition to providing amenities to all participants. Regarding the Qatari shooters qualified for Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, Al Kuwari affirmed that QSAF has dedicated a special training program to them, as well as external camps to have them well-prepared. He outlined that the federation selected the Bisht as the slogan of the tournament to symbolize the Qatari identity which has been uniquely designed to combine the Qatari authenticity and the shooting sport. For her part, tournament director Antonella Bartolomei said HH the Amir Grand Prix Shotgun Championship will draw the participation of significant number of world shooters, offering an opportunity for them to converge with the Qatari counterparts in pursuit of elevating the competition levels. She added that 37 Qatari shooters from both genders will participate in the competitions to represent Qatar, with the number of global champions reaching up to 227 male and female shooters from different countries, pointing out that HH the Amir Grand Prix Shotgun Championship is one of the open tournaments but does not qualify for the Olympics and does not grant winners classified points. HH the Amir Grand Prix Shotgun Championship is a cherished and precious event for all people and will feature the enforcement of all laws approved by the international federation, said chairman of the Referees Committee Saud Al Qahtani.