Treble delight for Joda

Manama : Ahmed Joda picked up a third successive win and another gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Day, organised by the Bahrain Olympic Committee (BOC) in cooperation with the Bahrain Road Runners (BRR) on Saturday.

The event was hosted by the Southern Governorate at Awali walkway opposite Riffa Views.

Joda, who had previously won the races hosted by the Northern and Capital Governorates, finished ahead of Sami Mohammed Serajuddin, who won the silver and Ebrahim Talal who came third. Khalid Salim, who was originally third, was disqualified.

The eight races that involved 260 participants were watched by hundreds of visitors at the walkway despite the windy and dusty weather conditions.

The opening race of the day was open for children aged 6 to 8 years. As

Salman Habib secured gold, Abdulla Al Asomi won silver and Ahmed Ghanim bronze.

The event was patronised by BOC board member, Bahrain Table Tennis Association president and Chairwoman of the Woman’s Sport Committee Shaikha Hayat bint Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, in the presence of Deputy Southern Governorate Faisal bin Rashid Al Nuaimi and other top officials.

Shaikha Hayat congratulated the winners and wished other participants success in the coming races. She also extended her gratitude to Al Khalaf International, dealers of Fayrouz malt drink in Bahrain, for sponsoring the event.

The BOC board member also extended her appreciation to the BRR for assisting the committee in organising the races.

BRR chairman Khalifa Najem team includes vice-chairman Mohsin Al Sharif, race director Abdulla Majeed, treasure Abbas Mousa, head of marshals Faisal Al Fadli and logistics Ali Anbar and Ebrahim Abbas.

The two-week festivities take a one-day break before action continues tomorrow with the fourth running race, to be organised in cooperation with the Muharraq Governorate at Dohat Arad near Bahrain International Airport.

Other results: Boys: 9-11 years (1km): 1 Ahmed Jassim; 2 Thamer Mohammed; 3 Abdulrahman Ahmed. 12-14 (1.2km): 1 Abdulrahman Humood; 2 Elyas Elyasi; 3 Isa Mohammed. Girls: 6-8 years (800m): 1 Razan Elayan; 2 Ghazal Rashid; 3 Shojoon Isa. 9-11 (1km): 1 Shouq Isa; 2 Noor Zayed.

15 years and above: 1 Layla Abbas Al Abbasi; 2 Maryam Khalifa Rashid; 3 Wedad Yaqoub. People with special needs (3km): 1 Noora Al Dossary; 2 Yasmine Mohammed; 3 Fatima Abdulrazzaq; 4 Mohammed Al Hassan.