Bahrain bag nine more medals!

TDT | Manama              

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain wrapped up their spectacular showing in the athletics competition at the 15th Arab Games last night, winning another eight medals, including four gold, while also bagging a bronze medal in swimming.

The gold medals in athletics were claimed by Hajar Alkhaldi in the women’s 200 metres, Oluwakemi Adekoya in the women’s 400m hurdles, Noora Jasim in the women’s shot put and Birhanu Balew in the men’s 5,000m.

The Bahrainis also added three silver medals and one bronze medal during the concluding night’s action on the track. The silver medals were clinched by Edidiong Odiong in the women’s 200m, Marta Yota in the women’s 800m, and the women’s 4x400m relay team; while Aminat Jamal bagged a bronze behind Oluwakemi in the women’s 400m hurdles.

In swimming, Amani Alobaidli captured a bronze medal in the women’s 200m backstroke. Yesterday’s nine medals in all—eight in athletics and one in the pool—brought Bahrain’s overall tally to 29 after four days of competition in all sports so far.

They include 15 gold medals, seven silver and seven bronze medals. In last night’s women’s 200m final, Hajar triumphed after finishing the race in 23.30 seconds. Edidiong was a close runner-up in 23.74s, making for a fine Bahraini one-two. Sara El Hachimi of Morocco came third in 23.89s.

In the women’s 400m hurdles, Oluwakemi triumphed in a time of 54.36s. Noura Ennadi of Morocco was the silver-medallist in 55.40s, while Aminat took her bronze in 55.51s. In the women’s shot put final, Noora bagged her gold medal with a best throw of 15.89m.

Nada Charoudi of Tunisia was second with a 13.96m best, while Lyna Benaibouche of Algeria took the other podium spot in 13.64m. The men’s 5,000m final saw a thrilling finish, in which Balew powered to the gold medal with a brilliant closing kick.

Countryman Dawit Fikadu was also in contention for a medal until the home straight, but then a pair of his rivals passed him. Balew won in a time of 14:21.89, while Hafid Rizqy of Morocco followed in 14:23.32.

Salim Keddar of Algeria came third in 14:23.47, with Fikadu in fourth in 14:24.71. In the women’s 800m final, Bahrain’s Marta was narrowly beaten to the finish by just three-tenths of a second.

The gold was claimed by Assia Raziki of Morocco in 2:05.17, while Marta finished in 2:05.47. Wafa Zaroual of Morocco took the bronze in 2:07.29. In the women’s 4x400m final, the Bahraini quartet featured Oluwakemi, Awtif Ahmed, Aminat and Zenab Mahamat.

They came second in 3:37.73, while Morocco were gold-medallists in 3:35.80. Algeria took the bronze in 3:42.91. In swimming, Amani clinched her bronze after completing her 200m backstroke race in 2:25.16. Kawthar Imene and Benchadli Jihane had an Algerian one-two, finishing in 2:22.68 and 2:24.64, respectively.