Rasovszky holds off Olivier challenge to win 10km open water gold in Doha

Doha : Hungary’s Kristof Rasovszky held off a charging Marc-Antoine Olivier of France on the final lap of the men’s 10km to win the gold medal at 1:48:21.2 while Olivier won the silver at 1:48:23.6. Rasovszky, having already qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games from his Worlds silver last year, had the monkey off his back on Sunday morning at the World Aquatics Championships – Doha 2024 in the old Doha Port as he was getting in valuable race practice against some of the best in the world six months before the big race in Paris later this year.  “I wanted the gold, so I wasn’t coming here just to swim this again and again,” Rasovszky said. “I was talking with my wife and realized that in 10k I only got silver medals until now, it was silver or nothing for me in this distance. So I wanted to win something different this time.” This is Olivier’s first medal at the World Aquatics Championships since winning silver in the 10km at the 2019 Gwangju Worlds. “There was a lot of pressure because the Olympic Games are happening in my country, so before the race I wanted to be sure that I would qualify,” Olivier said. “Today I realized that I could win a medal, too, so I’m double as happy. I was extra motivated because I knew that all my family and friends can come to see me participate in Paris. It gave me more energy.” Great Britain’s Hector Pardoe won a surprising bronze medal at 1:48:29.2 for the first major medal of his career. Pardoe previously won a bronze in the 5km at the 2016 World Juniors as he improved his 10th place finish from the World Championships in Fukuoka last year.  “I think I thrive in conditions like this,” Pardoe said. Qualifying spots were on the line for the 10K today as Olivier officially qualified for his third Olympics today at age 27, and Pardoe qualified for his second Games at age 22. “My first Olympic experience in Tokyo was kind of a bad one and I had to learn a lot about my confidence,” Pardoe said. “To just come here, win a medal and qualify for my second Olympic Games and hopefully continue down the path of redemption is really exciting." China's as Wang Zongyuan and Long Daoyi successfully defended their men's 3m synchro title in Doha, yesterday. The pair totalled 442.41, finishing almost 60 points clear of their rivals as they won in emphatic fashion. Wang, who won Olympic gold with Xie Siyi, claimed his seventh world crown after he completed the individual and synchro 3m double in Fukuoka last July. Giovanni Tocci and Lorenzo Marsaglia of Italy took silver with 384.24 and secured the first of four Paris 2024 Olympic quota places on offer at the event with Wang and Long having done so last year. Spain's Adrian Abadia and Nicolas Garcia also obtained an Olympic quota after scoring 383.28 to claim bronze. Rodrigo Diego and Osmar Olvera were just four-hundredths of a point back in fourth for Mexico with Ukraine's Oleg Kolodiy and Danylo Konovalov also securing Olympic quota berths in sixth place. Last year's runners-up Jack Laugher and Anthony Harding were in third place after five dives, but their last effort was well short of their best and they had to settle for fifth. The British pair had already obtained a Olympic quota place.  

Van Rouwendaal, Ibarra clinch gold

Doha: Sharon Van Rouwendaal won the 10km open water title event for the second time on Saturday at the Doha World Aquatics Championships. After a highly tactical race, in the bay of Doha’s Old Harbour, the 30-year-old Dutch swimmer, Olympic champion in 2016, won in 1 hour 57 minutes and 26 seconds. Van Rouwendaal, who won the title in Budapest two years ago, edged Spain’s Maria de Valdes by one tenth of a second. Portugal’s Angelica Andre took bronze 1.40sec back. Reigning Olympic champion Ana Marcela Cunha of Brazil was fifth, four seconds behind the winner. The top 13 finishers locked up qualifying spots at this summer’s Paris Olympic Games. At the Hamad Aquatic Centre, Osmar Olvera Ibarra gave Mexico its second diving gold medal in the history of the World Aquatics Championships, winning the men’s 1m springboard. Olvera became the first diver from a country other than China to claim the top spot in the event since Alexandre Despatie of Canada in 2005. Paolo Espinosa is the only other Mexican diving world champion, capturing gold on the 10m platform at Rome in 2009. The 19-year-old Olvera was a silver medallist on both 1m and 3m springboard at last summer’s world championships in Fukuoka, Japan. Olvera led the morning preliminaries and cruised through the final, posting a score of 431.75 points over six dives. The silver went to Li Shixin of Australia at 395.70, while Ross Haslam of Britain took the bronze in 393.10. China, which has dominated diving at both the Olympics and world championships, claimed its first gold in Doha when 13-year-old Huang Jianjie and Zhang Jiaqi won the mixed 10m synchronised platform. With its focus firmly on Paris, China sent a scaled-back team to Doha, giving other nations a chance to shine. The diving superpower didn’t enter the first two events on Friday and is assured of its fewest gold medals at worlds since settling for eight in 2017. Over the last three championships, China has claimed 37 of 39 gold medals. In the mixed event, Huang and 19-year-old Zhang romped to victory for China with 353.82 points. Zhang added to the gold won at Fukuoka while paired with Wang Feilong. Jo Jin Mi and Im Yong Myong of North Korea took the silver in 303.96, while the bronze went to Kevin Berlin Reyes and Alejandra Estudillo Torres of Mexico at 296.13. Many top athletes are skipping Doha, which is hosting the worlds a year behind schedule because of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is the first time the world championships have been held in the same calendar year as the Summer Games.

ESB Elite & Open Global Leagues present Qatar Esports Federation as global institutional partner

Doha: After the recent changes in the Dota 2 competitive landscape with the cancellation of the DPC (Dota Pro Circuit), ESB, the esports producer and broadcaster, alongside with the QESF, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to execute a series of top events for 2024 with a 3 year vision. This will happen in the frame of a global expansion plan of ESB, that will settle its new international operations in Doha, Qatar.   “There is a big space in the Dota 2 and esports scene for innovation and doing great things for the community, not only at the top level of competitive esports, but also at a regional and amateur level. The Qatar experience of hosting worldwide top sports events like the FIFA World Cup in 2022, the Asian Football Cup in 2023, and many others, added to its ideal location as a transit hub and amazing infrastructure, places the country as an ideal candidate for setting up our global hub.” Said Gonzalo Velasco, CEO of ESB.   From the QESF, General Secretary Mr. Faisal Khalid added: “The QESF is committed to support the international esports community, and this agreement is the first step of a long term plan with ESB to innovate and push the esports ecosystem forward, not only in Qatar and the MENA region, but around the world.”   Elie Gemayel, CEO of Quest Esports, stated: “Our partnership with QESF, ESB, and Sportfive is a groundbreaking step, not only for PSG.Quest but for the entire esports community. This initiative is a phenomenal opportunity to inspire and elevate amateur gamers, providing a platform to showcase their talent and potential to transition into professional esports. Representing Qatar, the PSG.Quest Dota 2 team is excited to demonstrate our skills on both local and international stages, further establishing Qatar as a key player in the global esports landscape.” The league will partner with international medias and brands to help them reach a young and tech-savvy audience. “ The attractiveness of the league from an advertising perspective is very important because of its global approach, featuring teams from all the regions of the world, and Sportfive’s network and experience with top sports events will make sure that all the right stakeholders form part of this endeavor.” Added Vianney Davillé, Senior ESports Media Rights Manager at SPORTFIVE. “Although the new competitive landscape gives room for creative big formats like the Main Events, sustainability remains one of the biggest challenges for emerging teams, and we want to make sure that we make the effort to also support them in the best way we can, so expect more interesting news regarding this very soon.” - Gonzalo Velasco, CEO of ESB.   “Esports are not only about the best players in the world, but about the community and the passion for the game in every player’s heart, that is why we will make fans part of the project, not only spectators.” Mr. Faisal Khalid, General Secretary of QESF.  

Stage set for Qatar Total Energies Open 2024

Doha: The Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2024, the 22nd edition of the WTA 1000 tournament, is set to be more exciting than ever as all the top ten players are on the card to feature at the event to be held at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex from February 11 to 17. Leading the pack of superstars is World No. 1 and defending champion Iga Świątek of Poland, who will be looking to lift the golden falcon trophy for the third time in a row at the prestigious tournament. Featuring alongside the world No.1 are Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Ons Jabeur, Marketa Vondrousova, Maria Sakkari, Karolina Muchova, and Jelena Ostapenko—the world’s top ten. Świątek, the 22-year-old four-time Grand Slam winner, is topping the list of 64 players for the singles and 32 pairs for the doubles events of the tournament. Świątek defeated Jessica Pegula of the USA in straight sets last year to make it only the third player, after Anastasia Myskina and Victoria Azarenka, to earn back-to-back victories in Doha. 2023 was very eventful for the Polish player as she won a total of six titles in the year, including the French Open, Stuttgart, Warsaw, Beijing, and the WTA Finals, which she won without dropping a set, becoming the first player to do so since Serena Williams in 2012. Świątek, who is the first player representing Poland to win a Major singles title, will also be hoping to make history as the first three-time champion of the Qatar TotalEnergies Open at the end of the tournament. Meanwhile, the Polish player will be facing a stiff challenge from Aryna Sabalenka, the 2023 Australian Open champion and the 2020 winner in Doha, who will be attempting to lift her second title at the tournament. The Belarusian pulled out of last year’s tournament shortly after winning in Melbourne, but she is set to have a go at the region’s most prestigious tournament this time around and register her name on the noble list of two-time winners in Doha. “We are extremely delighted to have all of the top players confirmed for the Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2024. Their eagerness to participate in this tournament further validates its esteemed reputation, acknowledging the exceptional organization and meticulous attention to detail that everyone involved has consistently demonstrated. “We express our gratitude to TotalEnergies, the title sponsor, and all our other supporters for their unwavering commitment throughout the years, ensuring the continuous success of this tournament,” stated Saad Al Mohannadi, the tournament director. Meanwhile, sales of tickets for the tournament are now open, and fans can purchase them online at www.qatartennis.org or at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. Tickets are also available at selected malls, including Villagio Mall, City Centre and Place Vendome. The $3,211,715 total prize money Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2024 is the 22nd edition of the annual tennis tournament. The tournament has grown to become a WTA 1000 event, making it one of the region’s top-most events on the WTA Tour calendar.

Team Qatar qualify to semifinals

Doha: Defending champions Qatar will face the Iran in Wednesday’s semi-final of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 after Marquez Lopes’ side handed Uzbekistan a 3-2 penalty shoot-out defeat at Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday following a 1-1 draw. Goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham saved spot-kicks from Rustamjon Ashurmatov, Zafarmurod Abdirakhmatov and Jaloliddin Masharipov to set Pedro Correia up to score the winning penalty and take the hosts into the last four. The shoot-out win came after the Qataris had taken the lead in the 27th minute when captain Hassan Al Haydos shot from a tight angle and Utkir Yusupov slapped the ball over his own goal line but Odiljon Hamrobekov levelled in the 58th minute with a low strike. Neither side was able to claim a second in what remained of regulation time or in 30 minutes of extra-time to take the game to penalties. Ashurmatov and Almoez Ali had seen their efforts in the second round of spot-kicks saved before Almahdi Ali skied his attempt high over the bar but Barsham’s saves from Abdirakhmatov and Masharipov made the difference for Qatar. Qatar’s goalkeeper Barsham later said, “I am very happy to save the penalty kicks and contribute to the win and qualify for the semi-finals, and I dedicate the victory to our fans. “With penalties there is some anticipation and there is some luck,” he stressed. “Thankfully I got lucky and saved three penalties.” Qatar coach Marquez Lopez said, “I am very happy to reach the semi-finals. I thank the players for the efforts they made throughout the match, and I congratulate the Qatari people for winning and qualifying, and I thank the fans. “Of course it is a very big match that awaits us but first we need to recover because the game went into extra time,” said the Spaniard. “First we will enjoy what happened today and then we will start preparing for the next game.” It was a tense end to a game in which Akram Afif once again carried much of the defending champions’ threat, stinging Yusupov’s hands in the 11th minute, but it was the Qatar team captain who breeched the Uzbekistan defence as the hosts went in front. Al Haydos was released into space by an astute Almoez Ali backheel and the midfielder drove along the bye-line before hitting a shot that took just enough of a deflection off Ashurmatov to force Yusupov to push the ball into his own net. The Uzbeks responded with Otabek Shukurov’s first-time strike from inside the area that was deflected over Barsham’s crossbar while Mohammed Waad made a goal-saving block when Azizbek Turgunboev looked destined to score. Yusupov made amends for his earlier error by keeping out Almahdi Ali’s header and Turgunboev threatened again as the half drew to a close, Barsham blocking his attempt to score with a strike on the run at the goalkeeper’s near post. Uzbekistan continued to probe after the interval, Masharipov seeing his free-kick palmed clear by Barsham while Qatari defender Fathy narrowly avoided putting the ball in his own goal. Masharipov was just off target with a 55th minute shot from distance. Three minutes later the equaliser came as Hamrobekov played the ball towards Oston Urunov, receiving possession again on the edge of the area with the space to score in the far corner with a left-foot shot across Barsham. Abbosbek Fayzullaev twisted in front of the Qatar defence deep into injury time to create the space to shoot across the face of goal while Afif almost won the game for Qatar when he bent a stunning strike inches wide of Yusupov’s left post. The Qataris went closer still five minutes into extra-time when substitute Abdel Aziz Hatim hit a scuffed shot from 25 yards that clipped the top of the crossbar, leaving the game to go to penalties and for Barsham to claim the plaudits. Uzbekistan coach Srecko Katanec said he was still proud of his team, and that they “should have scored before so that we didn’t go to penalties”. “Penalties are always tricky, especially mentally,” he said. “They should benefit from this (long term) but we’re out. This is football and we have to accept it. They have to be proud.” Masharipov’s weak kick down the middle was one of several poor penalties by Uzbekistan, but Katanec refused to blame his players. “They were tired and mentally exhausted, that’s it,” he said. “We can’t do it in training because there are not 50,000 people there and we are not tired.”

Inaugural AFC eAsian Cup kicks off in Capital of Sports

DOHA – The competitions of the first edition of  AFC eAsian Cup 2024 were kicked off  on a high note performance at  the Virtual city e-games Doha Festival on Thursday and will last  from 1 to 5 of February, 2024. The five-day continental virtual event is organized under patronage of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and in cooperation with Qatar Football Association (QFA)  and Qatar E-sports Federation (QESF). This e-tournament opening day was attended by the  AFC President, H.E Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the QESF President Sheikh Abdullah bin Faleh Al Thani,  the QFA Secretary General,  Mr. Mansoor Al Ansari,  the QESF Secretary-General Mr. Faisal Khalid, the QESF Deputy Secretary General and Chairman of E-national team  Committee, Mr. Khalifa Al Haroon , the QESF board member,   Mrs. Moza Al Mohannadi and  a number of senior officials from AFC and QFA. Most notably, 20 national Asian teams  will fight for top honors in this inaugural AFC eAsian Cup. Participating teams were pooled into six groups,  Group A includes,   hosts Qatar, Tajikistan and Lebanon, Group B:  Uzbekistan, Syria and India, group C:  Iran,  UAE and Hong Kong,  group D:  Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam, group E:  Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Jordan,  Bahrain, Group F: Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan and Oman. In a post- opening day statement, the QESF President Sheikh Abdullah bin Faleh Al Thani  said our top priority  is  to promote  the esports among  local community , turning our vision and objectives true and making  Qatar a key hub of e-sports in the region  and entire  world. For his part, the  QESF Secretary-General, Mr Faisal Khalid said this historic and inaugural AFC eAsian Cup is expected to attract and  to delight  a big  base of football fans, because it comes in  conjunction with  AFC Asian Cup 2023 Doha. “ This event acts as a unique and positive turning point inside  the culture of Qatar community ,  where everyone can use his/her energy in both physical and mental sports, ultimately  a Qatari person will be capable to produce  better thoughts and have strong and healthy body”. Added  QESF Secretary-General.