Dina Asher-Smith wins 200m gold

DOHA, October 03, 2019- Dina Asher-Smith of Great Britain stormed to gold in the 200m at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha on Wednesday.Asher-Smith, running in lane seven at the Khalifa International Stadium track, had a clear advantage over her rivals at the straight, and the 23-year-old European champion just sprinted away to glory in 21.88, in a new personal best.American Brittany Brown won silver in 22.22 while Mujinga Kambundji of Switzerland finished strongly to take bronze, also in 22.22.But the race was all about Asher-Smith, who won her first Olympic or world title after settling for silver in the 100m, behind Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.In women's 5000m, defending champion Kenya's Hellen Obiri entered the final in 14:52.13. Karissa Schweizer of the US also moved into the final with a personal best of 14:52.41, but Obiri would be the overwhelming favourite in Saturday's final.In the men's 400m, where there was no world champion Wayde Van Niekerk, Steven Gardiner of the Bahamas, Fred Kerley of the US and Kirani James of Granada all moved into the final, but Michael Norman of the US, one of the favourites, finished a disappointing seventh (45.94) in third semifinal heat.“I had a great warm-up, felt good, but did not balance the things for a while. It was a very rocky season. My body has given me a sign. It is kind of devastating to come out here, work for 330 days and make it to the final. It has been a bit up and down for a while. I am very disappointed," said Norman, who was the man in form.Dalilah Muhammad of the US, meanwhile, was in a class of her own as she strolled into the final of the women's 400 hurdles with a time of 53.91.Compatriot Sydney McLaughlin, the world U20 record holder, is also in top form and won her semifinal in 53.81 to make Friday's final an eagerly-awaited clash.Earlier, in the women's 1500m, Sifan Hassan, who won gold in the 10000m, marched into the semifnal. Hassan, who was coached by Alberto Salazar at the Nike-backed Oregon Project, had earlier said she was shocked with the American's doping ban.“I am shocked to receive the news of today's ruling, especially during this time in which I am fully preparing for my next race in the world championships in Doha. I like to state that this investigation is focused on the period before I joined the Oregon Project and therefore has no relation to me," said Hassan in a statement.Khalid Rashed Al Marri, Executive Director of the Qatar Athletics Federation said that Qatar's Abdulrahman Saeed will participate in Men's 1500m heads on Thursday.

Qatar's Mutaz Barshim Qualifies for High Jump Final in Athletics World Championships

DOHA, October 2, 2019 (QNA) - Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim lived up to his reputation and sky-high expectations from the local fans by qualifying for the high jump final in the 2019 World Championships at Khalifa International Stadium on Tuesday.The Qatari super star cleared 2.17m, 2.22m and 2.26m on his first attempts qualifying - 2.31m is the auto qualifying mark for the final.Barshim cleared 2.22m effortlessly and joined eight others on three clear jumps with Ilya Ivanuk joined the Qatari in the 2.26m club.Barshim went clear on 2.26m, and the five next jumpers knocked the bar at that height. The performance in the qualifiers will boost Mutazs confidence as he was back in action from an ankle injury at the Gyulai Memorial in Szekesfehervar, Hungary, last year that had stalled his progress.Barshim is specialized in high jump and the national record and Asian record holder with a best mark of 2.43 m (7 ft 11 12 in). He won bronze at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, and silver at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.Barshim won a gold medal at the 2017 World Championships in Athletics in London. He was earlier the Asian Indoor and World Junior champion in 2010, and won the high jump gold medals at the 2011 Asian Athletics Championships and 2011 Military World Games.On the same track of victory, Qatar's Ashraf Amjad Al Saifi shined to book his spot in the Men's Hammer of the prestigious Athletics World Championships.

Sheikha Asma Al-Thani: Doha World Athletics Championships is most prominent event in 2019

Doha, October 1, 2019- (QNA) - Director of Marketing and Communications at the Organizing Committee of IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 Sheikha Asma Al-Thani said that the tournament organized by the state of Qatar for the first time in the region is the world's premier sporting event this year.In remarks on Monday evening, Sheikha Asma said that the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 witnesses the participation of about 2,000 athletes and more than 700 media personnel from 209 countries around the world, which is an exception in itself.Sheikha Asma Al-Thani noted the great efforts of the Organizing Committee of the championship, adding that the Committee continues to exert tremendous efforts to optimize this tournament as a legacy for many years, especially as it is the first tournament in the history of the region.Sheikha Asma Al-Thani said that the hosting of the tournament for the first time in the Middle East and the Arab region is a very important point for Qatar as the tournament includes many entertainment programs within the framework of introducing the Qatari heritage and cultural tourism. She explained that the Fan Zone includes several programs for children, restaurants, and cafes, as well as programs to introduce communities' customs, traditions, and culture, pointing out that the participation of the Qatari people and residents of Qatar in these events increases the beauty and value of the tournament.Sheikha Asma Al-Thani invited the Qatari and Arab fans to support the champions at Khalifa International Stadium during the tournament. She noted the availability of tickets at the outlets in Khalifa International Stadium, welcoming that fans at the Stadium to enjoy watching their heroes and the accompanying events outside. (QNA)

Qatar's Samba wins 400m hurdles bronze at Doha Worlds

DOHA, Qatar, October 1, 2019 - Abderrahman Samba had to be content with a bronze medal for now.But the Qatari star, who was gunning for world record after clocking 46.98 in June 2018 in Paris before slipping away because of injuries, will surely come back to challenge his opponents Karsten Warholm of Norway and Rai Benjamin of the US.At the World Athletics Championships at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Monday, Samba, running in the ninth lane, was struggling to put in his best effort for the most part of the race, but a fine finish helped him clock 48.03 and beat Kyron McMaster at the tape."I am not happy, I am over the moon. If I could find the worlds now, I would, but there are no words for how I am feeling right now," said an ecstatic and relieved Samba."Two days ago, I wasn't sure whether to compete or not, so to make the podium is amazing. "It has been a long hard season for me with lots of injuries. I am happy with my medal, but not with my place," said Samba.HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani , President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) and Chairman of the Doha 2019 World Athletics Championships has congratulated Samba on his first ever achievement in this world athletics Championships.Warholm took gold in 47.42 while Benjamin took silver in 47.66. World record-holder Kevin Young, now 50 years of age eagerly watching the progress and rivalry of the trio, said they have made the 400m hurdles one of the most exciting events. And if these athletes can stay injury-free, it could be the marquee event in athletics for some years to come.With a big weight of expectations of his back now, Samba can recuperate and refresh before training his guns at Warholm and Benjamin at Tokyo Olympics.Earlier, Halimah Nakaayi of Uganda sprinted to the finish line, leaving top-class opponents such as Raevyn Rogers and Ajee Wilson of the US Eunice Jepkoech Sum of Kenya as well as compatriot Winnie Nanyondo in her wake to win a fiercely contested and wildly cheered 800m Nakaayi won in 1:58.04 while Rogers took silver after finishing strongly (1:58.18). Wilson took bronze in 1:58.84.On other hand, Qatari athlete Mutaz Barshim will begin on Tuesday the quest of defending his world title in the high jump competition at the World Athletics Championships, Doha 2019.Barshim will play in the first round of the competition, which will see the participation of 31 contestants, including Syria's Majd Al-Din Ghazal and Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi.The contestants in the high jump competition will be divided into two groups of 15 and 16, with 12 qualifiers for Friday's final.Bershim, holder of the gold medal in London 2017, also holds the second best world record in the high jump competition in history, recording a height of 2.43 meters, two centimeters lower that the record 2.45m set by Javier Sotomayor of Cuba in 1993.The Qatari champion Mutaz Barshim confirmed his physical and mental readiness to compete in the high jump, hoping to give the best performance during the qualifiers.

Team Qatar Shine in Aqaba Ayla Championships

DOHA, September 30, 2019-This past Friday, the Qatar National Triathlon and Duathlon team were in action at the annual Ayla Championships in beautiful Aqaba Jordan. On what turned out to be a hot, windy, and technical course for everybody.The day started with Lekhwiya lieutenant, Essa Al-Maadeed competing in the sprint distance triathlon, with a new PR on the 750m swim, followed by the 3rd fastest bike split of the field over 20 KM, and then closed strongly with a 22 minute 5 KM run. Of which propelled him to a 10th place finish, in a time of 1-hour and 16 minutes, ahead of many foreign athletes, from all over the world.Not too long after, Eid Al-Bordani toed the sprint duathlon event, where he followed coach Mat's instruction, to patiently run the opening 5 KM run, in a solid 19 minutes, then went on to pass several athletes over the 20 KM bike leg, then started the final 2.5 KM run leg, tied for 3rd position. With only 100m left before crossing the line, Eid sprinted strongly, to secure 2nd place in a time of 1-hour and 10 minutes. Earning Qatar's 1st ever overall podium in an international duathlon event, as well to be rewarded for his deep effort, with a cash prize!The team would like to thank the Qatar Olympic Committee and the Qatar Triathlon Federation for helping the team reach these special achievements.As well to special thank you, to our very hospitable brothers, at the Jordanian Triathlon Federation. We look forward to coming back next year, with a bigger team, to this very well organized event.Up next, the National Triathlon Team will be in action against the worlds best at the World Beach Games Aquathlon, held on October 14th, at the Katara Beach and Cultural Village.

Team Qatar claim three gold medals in Asian Shotgun Championships

Almaty, September 30, 2019-Qatar's Hamad Al Akhan Al Marri claimed the gold medal of Men's Double Trap event at the 9th Asian Shotgun Championships concluded in Almaty, Kazakhstan Yesterday. Qatar's Hamad Al Akhan Al Marri, Rashed Al Athbi and Masoud Al Athba took the gold medal of team event. Team Qatar's participation in the event comes in light of their preparation program for the 14th Asian Shooting Championships to be held in Doha in November 2019.Hamad Al Akhan Al Marri hailed the support of Qatar Olympic Committee to Team Qatar shooters and stressed that the participation in this Asian championships will help the young shooters acquire more experience ahead of the upcoming events.