FINA Marathon Swim World Series to begin on Saturday

​DOHA, March 17, 2018-Qatar will host its first-ever FINA HOSA Marathon Swim World Series event on Saturday, 17th March, with the turquoise waters of Doha's iconic Corniche providing a stunning setting for reigning Olympic and World Champions to go head in the 10km open water swim.The public will also have an exclusive opportunity to experience and swim the same course as the elite athletes in an Open Water Challenge competition on Friday, 16th March open to anyone over 11 years of age.Doha will open the FINA Marathon Swim World Series 2018, which features nine meetings taking place in some of the world's most scenic waterways, including the Seychelles, Portugal, Canada and China.Over 350 athletes from over 50 national federations all over the world will compete in the one-day competition programme from March until November, with a total of $30,000 prize money available per event.Speaking ahead of the event, President of the Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) and FINA Bureau Member, Khalil al-Jabir, said: “It is an honour for Qatar to host another prestigious FINA event and welcome the world's best open water swimmers to kick off their World Series campaigns in Doha.A day before the FINA/HOSA Marathon Swim World Series in Doha, Qatari youngsters impressed with their swimming skills at the Open Water Challenge which saw hundreds of local kids and adults taking a plunge at the Corniche yesterday.Over 360 Qatari kids from the neighbouring schools and adults gathered for the challenge to exactly sample the same experience as the world's best swimmers are participating in the Series today.

Amir Elsaey takes silver medal in Feliks Stamm Tournament

Poland, March 17, 2018- Qatar's Amir Elsaey claimed the silver medal of Super Heavy (+91 kg) event at 2018 Feliks Stamm Tournament on Friday. In the final match, Amir Elsaey suffered a defeat against Magomed Omarov of Russia. The Qatar squad includes Yahya Saleh Al Rafiq, Abdullah Balali, Abdulateef Mohamad Sadiq and Amir Elsaey. The Qatar Boxing and Wrestling Federation President Yousef Al Kazem congratulated Amir Elsaey on his medal and said that the federation is keen to provide Qatari players with all possible support to make good results in local and international championships.

Saeed al-Qadi wins at Hathab Equestrian Series

​DOHA, March 17, 2018-Saeed al-Qadi won the Small Tour class during the ninth leg of the Hathab Equestrian Series at Al Shaqab yesterday.Al-Qadi riding DayDreamer EC was the fastest with time of 25.34secs.Obaid Ali al-Sanari (Quentin) and Mohamed Said Haidan (Corrado's Coriana) came second and third respectively.In the Medium Tour, Nasser al-Gazali topped the standings, followed by Mohamed Abdullah Jomah in second and Mohamed Haidan in third.The series, which carries a total prize money of QR1 million, is being conducted jointly by Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF) and Al Shaqab.

Rashid Al Athba wins Skeet Gold in HH the Emir Shooting Cup

DOHA, March 18, 2018-With attendance of Ali Mohammad Al Kuwari, President of the Qatar Shooting and Archery Association, the Skeet and 50M Rifle (Three Positions) competitions at HH the Emir Shooting Cup were concluded on Saturday.Rashid Al Athba claimed the gold medal of Men's Skeet event. Saeed Abu Shareb finished second while Samer Sarkis settled in the third place.In Men's 50M Rifle (Three Positions), Abdulaziz Al Ali took the gold medal. Fahad Al Marqab finished second ahead of Danbin in the third place.Nourah Al Mohannadi clinched the gold medal of Women's 50M Rifle (Three Positions). Aysha Al Mutawa and Matra Al Esairi settled in the second and third places respectively.

All set for FIG Artistic Individual World Cup

DOHA, March 18, 2018 - This week's FIG Artistic Individual World Cup in Doha will act as a dress rehearsal for the World Championships, which Qatar will host this October.“This World Cup is very special for us as it will also serve as the test event for World Championships this year," Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) president and chairman of the organising committee Ali al-Hitmi said on Saturday.The Artistic Gymnastics World Cup will be held at the Aspire Dome from this Wednesday, March 21 to 24, with gymnasts from 39 countries competing for the honours. The QGF is confident of organising the best-ever championship, with an eye on the marquee event to be held later this year from October 25 to November 3.“All the preparations for the event have been completed and we are looking forward to a very successful edition this year," al-Hitmi said. “We will leave no stone unturned to make it a blockbuster as it will give us huge confidence ahead of World Championships," the QGF president said.Like every year, top gymnasts including World and Olympic champions will be in action over four days. The qualification rounds will be held on first two days of the championship, with eight best gymnasts making it to the finals and will strive for medals on the last two days of the competition.The mouth-watering contest is expected between world champion Xiao Ruoteng of China and Japanese legend Kohei Uchimura, famously known as 'King Kohei'.Uchimura has won six world all-around titles and the last two Olympic all-around titles, the longest streak of dominance in gymnastics history. With both the top gymnasts eyeing wins heading into important year of World Championships, the battle between the two will be treat to watch for fans.In addition, the oldest Olympic Gymnast, the 43-year-old Oksana Chusovitina from Uzbekistan will also be coming to Doha to defend her vault title she won last year. Besides, several other gymnasts have confirmed their participation for the contest.As for Qatar, young gymansts Jana Kiki and Ahmed Nabil will represent the host country. Al-Hitmi said expressed hope that they will achieve good results, which will reflect the extent of the development of gymnastics in Qatar.“Nabil is one of the exciting talents supported by the QGF and has won eight gold and two silver medals over the past three years in the various regional events. Kiki is also a promising gymnast who won two bronze medals during the Arab Youth Championships in Morocco in 2015," al-Hitmi said.The al-Hitmi thanked the FIG for reposing its faith in Doha and lauded the great support provided by HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, the president of the Qatar Olympic Committee.“It's a great a moment to organise the 11th edition of the Gymnastics World Cup in Qatar. This one particular event had helped us win the bid for this year's FIG World Championships. I like to thank QOC President HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani for his support to host the competitions," said al-Hitmi.

Al-Emadi steals the show in Hathab Equestrian Series

DOHA, March 18, 2018-Salman Mohamed al-Emadi astride his trusted gelding Zorro Z clinched the feature event during the ninth leg of the Hathab Equestrian Series at the Al Shaqab Indoor arena yesterday.Al-Emadi and the 16-year-old Zorro Z hit the straps to clear the hurdles without much difficulty to finish well ahead of rest of the field. The pair came home in 65.49 seconds as al-Emadi took home QR7,500 for his victory.Mubarak Yousuf al-Rumaihi was second with Bolandro, while Rashid Towaim al-Marri came third piloting Beyonce. The Open Class title went to Saeed Nasser al-Qadi, who emerged fastest with Jessico 4. Mohamed Said Haidan took both the second and third with different horses.Corrado's Coriana and Damorano respectively.