QSA ready to stage FINA Swimming World Cup Doha 2021

DOHA -  FINA Swimming World Cup Doha (QAT) 2021 will begin on Thursday October 21 , with exciting races on the cards during the third meet of the World Cup (25m) series at the Hamad Aquatic Center (HAC), Aspire Zone. Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) has wrapped up the preparations and is set to host the elite line-up of swimmers, which includes many Olympic and World champions.  QSA launched the event at a press conference on Wednesday with FINA President Mr. Husain Al Musallam, QSA President Mr. Khaleel Al-Jabir, rising South African star Matthew Sates and Dutchwoman Kira Toussaint speaking to the media.      Doha has been hosting the World Cup meet every year since 2012 except for the last year when the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Al Musallam hailed the role of FINA’s longtime partner city in promotion of the sport in the region. “I am very happy to be here in Doha for the third leg after the Berlin and Budapest meets. It is very nice to see the athletes back in action after difficult times of COVID-19 [pandemic],” the FINA President said.   “Doha is hosting this event since 2012 and on behalf of FINA; I would like to thank the QSA, Qatar Olympic Committee and the Qatari government for hosting this event. Doha has developed as a modern dynamic city because of sports,” said Mr. Al Musallam.   “In presence of top athletes like Matthew [Sates] and Kira [Toussaint] we are expecting thrilling races in the next three days,” he added.     QSA President Mr. Al-Jabir, meanwhile, said QSA is ready to host the event.  “I would like to thank the FINA President for his presence here. I would also like to thank our main sponsor QNB for their continuous support over the years. We have completed all the arrangements and stage is set for the event, which is starting tomorrow,” he said.    To a query, Mr. Al-Jabir said that the hosting FINA World Cup meets has helped QSA find many talented swimmers.      “Without hosting this competition we would not have attracted so many Qatari swimmers. We now have 3000 listed swimmers. We are preparing the athletes and we are hopeful these talented swimmers will do well at the international stage in the future.”      South Africa’s Sates, who has been in phenomenal run in this World Cup series, said he was looking forward to continue his brilliant form in Doha. “The last two legs have been very good. My mindset is that I want to do my best that’s how I started this World Cup series. Doha is a really beautiful place and I love to compete here,” he said.     “After a break due to the pandemic, we are happy to be back in action and I am thankful to FINA for making this happen,” Sates added. The South African athlete is currently the overall ranking leader in men’s field in the ongoing series, ahead of second-placed Tom Shields (USA). Dutchman Arno Kamminga, Kyle Chalmers (AUS), Vladimir Morozov, Anton Chupkov (RUS) and Lithuanian Danas Rapsys are among the star swimmers competing in Doha. Meanwhile, Toussaint, who his second behind Australian star Emma McKeon in women’s overall ranking, hoped for better performance in Doha. “This is my third time in Doha for the World Cup. It is so nice to be here.  I am very excited to take part in the competition and I am looking for an improved performance in Doha,” she said.            Apart from Toussaint and McKeon, Aussie swimmers Madison Wilson and Holly Barratt besides Tatjana Schoenmaker (RSA), Hungarian star Zsuzsanna Jakabos and Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED) will also be seen in action in the women’s events. As many as 13 swimmers will represent the host nation in the three-day meet, which is being held under strict COVID-19 safety protocols.  A total of 35 races will be held during the three days of action at the Hamad Aquatic Center. The races will be held in two sessions daily, morning heats starting at 10:00, with finals kicking off at 18:00.

Doha ready to host third round of 2021 FINA World Cup Meet

DOHA - Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) has completed all technical and managerial preparations  to host the third round of  the FINA World Cup meet from Thursday to Saturday  at Hamad Aquatic Centre, Aspire Zone. The Qatari capital – the third stop for the FINA Swimming World Cup 2021 – will stage the competition from October 21 to 23 at the Hamad Aquatic Centre, Aspire Zone. The four-meet series started in Berlin (GER) on October 1 and will conclude in Kazan (RUS), which will host the fourth and final event from October 28 to 30. It will be a special occasion for QSA – FINA’s long-time partner – as Doha will achieve a new milestone in its rich history of hosting major swimming events. QSA first organised the World Cup in 2012 and since then it has been staging the meets of this event, except for the last year when COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the FINA calendar.

Kandra defeats Marwan ElShhorbagy in QTerminals Qatar Classic

Doha: Raphael Kandra of Germany pulled off a stunning win over fourth seed Marwan ElShorbagy to reach the quarter-finals of QTerminals Qatar Classic 2021  in Doha on Tuesday. Besides Kandra, others who advanced into the last eight stage of the PSA Tour Platinum event were World No.8 Diego Elias of Peru, Joel Makin of Wales and World No.13 Mazen Hesham of Egypt. Kandra giant-killing act in Qatar on Tuesday will mean that he will be playing his first quarterfinals in Doha and his first major PSA quarter final since the 2018 British Open.  The World No.22 from Paderborn is not new to Marwan having inflicted a similar shock 11-7, 11-13, 6-11, 13-11, 11-6 defeat on the Egyptian three years back at the British Open while making his way to the semi-finals as a qualifier. Once again in Doha, the 30-year-old came up with a display full of grit and endeavour as he claimed a stunning 12-14, 11-3, 10-12, 11-5, 11-7 victory sending Marwan to a shock defeat. Going into the match, Marwan was a hot favouritie having won five of their previous six matches, with Kandra’s sole victory coming during a stunning run to the semi finals of the 2018 British Open. “I feel a little shaky because we’ve had so many matches like this when I’ve been leading, he’s been leading, and it’s always quick-fire squash against him,” Kandra said after the match. “You don’t get any time to relax. I think I need to settle a little bit to realise I am in the quarter finals of the Qatar Classic, it means a lot to me. “I’ve been working for such a long time on the steps to make not only the last 16, to make the last eight, which is a big difference. “I have a good plan to play him and I want to show that on the court. I’m feeling comfortable here in Qatar, so I hope I can continue feeling like that.” Earlier, Hesham reached the quarterfinals following a 3-2 victory over compatriot Youssef Ibrahim. Ibrahim came into the match off the back of a superb win over top seed Mohamed ElShorbagy could not maintain the same tempo and lost the five-game encounter 9-11, 11-4, 11-13, 11-6, 11-8 Hesham will now take on No.8 seed Makin for a place in the semi finals. The Welshman put in an assured display to see off the dangerous Englishman Patrick Rooney and make it to the next stage. Makin nullified Rooney's spirited effort which saw him triumph by an 11-5, 11-5, 11-8 scoreline. Elsewhere, Peruvian Elias came back from two games down to avoid a third round exit at the hands of Frenchman Gregoire Marche, winning 5-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-4.

Ibrahim defeats Mohamed ElShorbagy in Qatar QTerminals Classic

Doha: World No.17 Youssef Ibrahim stunned top seed and World No. 2  Mohamed ElShorbagy on day two of the Qatar QTerminals Classic to advance to the third round of the PSA World Tour event at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on Monday. This is the second year in succession that Ibrahim has sent ‘The Beast’ to an early exit from Qatar. Ibrahim stunned the three-time Qatar Classic champion last November when he took ElShorbagy out with a 3-2 victory in their first ever PSA meeting and the win went his way once again as he completed an 11-3, 11-5, 7-11, 11-9 triumph in 47 minutes. Ibrahim is among the eight Egyptians players who have made it to the last sixteen stage of the tournament. Ibrahim will take on compatriot Mazen Hesham next for a place in the quarter finals. Mohamme’s younger brother Marwan along with Tarek Momen, Mazen Hesham, Youssef Soliman, Mostafa Asal,  Mohamed Abouelghar all made it to the next stage. Joining the Egyptians into the round of 16 were Welshman Joel Makin, Raphael Kandra of Germany, Patrick Rooney, Adrian Waller and Tom Richards all of England, Diego Elias of Peru and Frenchmen Gregoire Marche, Baptiste Masotti besides British Open winner Paul Coll. Earlier, No.4 seed Marwan ElShorbagy came back from 2-1 down to avoid a surprise defeat against Spanish veteran Borja Golan, winning the tie at 11-9, 10-12, 11-13, 11-7, 11-6 . Marwan will play Kandra in the next encounter. The German defeated India’s Mahesh Mangaonkar 11-7, 7-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11- 4 to move into the last 16 in Doha. Kandra recovered from a deficit in the fourth before coming back to take the victory and book his place in the next round. Another Egyptian Mostafa Asal also made it to the next round but not before surviving a few scares from India’s Saurav Ghosal. The US Open champion will take on fellow Egyptian Youssef Soliman, in the next round, who won the all-Egyptian clash against Omar Mosaad. Soliman won 11-2, 6-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-8 to move into the next round. In yet another all-Egyptian clash, Abouelghar beat compatriot and No.5 seed Karim Abdel Gawad to proceed to a third-round tie against Adrian Waller. A walkover was awarded to Waller in the second round as Egypt’s Mohamed ElSherbini pulled out of the round two fixture due to a fractured rib. Momen also made it to the next round with a straight game win over England’s James Willstrop. He won 11-5, 119,11-9 and will take on Richards who got his revenge over Lucas Serme in Doha, having lost to the Frenchman at the same stage of the competition twelve months earlier. Richards won 12-10, 11-8, 4-11, 11-9 to advance into the next round. Among the non-Egyptians, Peruvian World No.6 seed Elias made it to the next round after facing hiccups against England’s Declan James. Elias will take on Marche of France in the next round match. The Frenchman won the all-French battle against compatriot Sebastien Bonmalais11-7, 11-9, 11-4 to put him into the third round. Also making into the round of 16 were England’s Rooney, who scripted a rapid-fire win over India’s Ramit Tandon. The Englishman won 11-9, 5-11, 11-6, 11-6 and will square to Makin, the Welshman defeated Iker Pajares Bernabeu of Spain 12-10, 11-9, 11-8  to set up the third round clash with Rooney. In the last side court match of this year’s event, Frenchman Baptiste Masotti got the better of Swiss No.1 Nicolas Mueller 11-2, 14-12, 11-1 to book his place in the third round. Masotti will take on No.2 seed New Zealander Coll, who defeated Portugal’s Rui Soares 11-4, 11-3, 11-5.

Q-Terminals Qatar Classic gets underway

Doha: India’s World No.46 Ramit Tandon kicked off the 2021 edition of the Qatar Q-Terminals Classic in style with a hard-fought 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 12-14, 11-8 victory over Scotland’s World No.32 Greg Lobban. The last time these two faced each other Tandon walked away with a 3-1 victory at the CIB Black Ball Squash Open earlier this year and the Indian kept up his winning streak over the Scot with a resilient performance in Doha. 29-year-old Tandon found himself 2-0 up after an accurate showing in quickfire exchanges against Lobban, who cut a frustrated figure on court. However, the Scottish player fought his way back into contention in the third before drawing back level on his fifth game ball attempt in the fourth. The momentum looked as though it was fully in favour of Lobban in the fifth as he took the lead before Tandon turned things around to complete a topsy-turvy victory in 60 minutes. For his part, England’s Patrick Rooney was forced to do things the hard way in his opening match against Hong Kong’s Tsz Fung Yip at the Qatar Classic as he came from 9-5 down in the fifth to triumph. The two had met just last week at the Cleveland Skating Club Open where Rooney took a straight-forward 3-0 victory. However, the Hong Kong player came back with renewed determination this time around as he made things difficult for Rooney, twice coming back from a game down. It appeared as though the 28-year-old was going to sneak it in the fifth when he powered into a 9-5 lead, but Rooney held his nerve to turn the tide and set up a second round match against India’s Ramit Tandon. England’s Declan James ensured a safe passage through to the second round of the Qatar Classic PSA Platinum event after an 11-4, 11-5, 11-7 victory over wildcard Syed Azlan Amjad. James, who has been absent from the last few PSA tournaments, did not suffer from a slow start in Doha as he comfortably overcame Amjad, who was one of two Qatari hopes in the event after the withdrawal of Qatar No.1 Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi due to injury. James will face Peru’s Diego Elias in the next round. Germany’s World No.22 Raphael Kandra was in strong shape to open his 2021 Qatar Classic campaign as he saw off wildcard Abdulrahman Al-Malki in straight-games on the glass court at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex. The 30-year-old wasted no time finding his accuracy as he comfortably moved past World No.126 Al-Malki in 22 minutes to march into the last 32. India’s World No.55 Mahesh Mangaonkar has completed his first ever win at a PSA World Tour Platinum event after a commanding performance against Scotland’s Alan Clyne. The 27-year-old from Mumbai had lost his last three matches to Clyne, including a 3-0 defeat to the World No.50 at the Cleveland Skating Club Open last week. Spanish veteran Borja Golan earned his spot in the last 32 courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Todd Harrity of the United States. The pair had never met on the PSA World Tour and it was 38-year-old Golan who had the better in the early stages, with ‘El Toro’ winning the first game on a tie-break before opening up a bigger gap to win the second. Harrity steadied the ship in the third and played a faster pace, which enabled him to make a good start to the third and halve the deficit. But Golan wasn’t to be denied and he dropped just two points in a one-sided fourth game to book his place in round two, where he will take on No.4 seed Marwan ElShorbagy.

Team Qatar swimmers ready for Arab Age Group Championship

DOHA -  Qatar’s swimming team have completed their managerial and technical arrangements to participate  in the 2021  Arab Age Group Swimming Championship, which will be held  from October 24-27 in United Arab Emirates’ capital of Abu Dhabi.   Nine promising Qatari swimmers to represent the country in different disciples of the event, they are  Mahamed Mahmoud, Omar Ashraf, Yousef Ashraf, Kareem Salamah, Tamim Mohammed, Abdulla Al Khalidi, Saif Al Borsheid, Ali Al Noaimi and  Abdulla Al Ghamri.   Most notably, Qatar swimming team claimed the title of Age Group of  the 28th GCC Aquatic Games  held  in Doha in August, after  they had collected 52 medals, included  30 gold, 15 silver and 7 bronze.