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15 Sep’ 2026

Qatar Gymnastics Team Heads to Japan for Asian Games Challenge

DOHA – Qatar’s gymnastics delegation left Doha early Tuesday, September 15, bound for Japan to participate in the 20th Asian Games, Aichi-Nagoya 2026, scheduled to be held across Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.

The artistic gymnastics competition is scheduled for September 20-24 at Nippon Gaishi Hall (Rainbow Hall) in Nagoya, where the continent’s top gymnasts will vie for honours.

Qatar’s team comprises Rakan Al Harith, Mehrdad Ghadimi and Salma Nasser, who will compete under coaches Jorgen Sifkanen and Mohammed Al Dulaimi. The delegation also includes administrator Samira Saeed and physiotherapist Issam Abu Ouda.

Al Hareth and Ghadimi completed their preparations at a training camp in Armenia, while Nasser undertook a domestic training camp in Doha due to academic commitments that prevented her from joining the team’s overseas camps.

The Qatari presence will extend beyond the athletes, with Abeer Al Buainain, Secretary-General of the Qatar Gymnastics Federation and an international judge, and international judge Mahmoud Al Saadi joining the competition’s judging panel. Their participation underlines the growing expertise of Qatari gymnastics officials at major continental sporting events.

The gymnastics delegation forms part of Qatar’s 243-member athlete contingent representing 18 sports federations at the Games. The continental showpiece features 469 events across 43 sports and brings together Asia’s elite athletes in pursuit of top honours.

The Qatar Gymnastics Federation highlighted the importance of the participation in providing the team with valuable international experience, strengthening competitive readiness and supporting the continued development of Qatari gymnastics on the Asian and international stages.

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