(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar's athletes put up yet another stirring display at the eighth Asian Indoor Athletics Championships by winning two gold and a bronze on the second day of the event in Tehran yesterday.
Abdelelah Haroun clocked 46.37 seconds in the 400m to clinch gold in his pet event, while Abu Bakr Haider stormed to victory in the 800m at the Afftab-e-Enqelab Indoor Sports Complex in the Iranian capital.
The bronze was claimed Mohamed Nasser in the 400m in 46.7 seconds.
On the first day of the competition on Thursday, world champion Mutaz Barshim had given Qatar a flying start with the gold in the high jump with a leap of 2.38m.
Haroun, who won the 400m bronze at the IAAF World Championships in August last year, was in his element to win the event with ease, although he was almost a second slower than his best indoor time of 45.39 seconds recorded in Stockholm three years ago.
'I am happy to win the gold for Qatar. My preparations for this event were excellent and I was confident, said former world junior champion Haroun.
'I hope that I win more accolades for the country and I am looking forward to the World Indoors in Birmingham in March, he added.
Haider, meanwhile, won the 800m in a time of 1min51.98secs, taking Qatar's tally to seven medals which includes three gold, two silver and two bronze.
Dr Thani al-Kuwari, second Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and President of the Qatar Athletics Federation congratulated the winners on their excellent show.
'These achievements by our athletes are a result of the wise leadership of the state of Qatar which spares no effort to promote sports, Dr al-Kuwari, who is in Tehran attending the event, told reporters.
'The dedication and determination of our athletes to excel for the country is exemplary, he added.
He had a special word of praise for Barshim saying his performances on the global stage were a matter of pride for every Qatari.
Mohamed Fadhala, secretary-general of the Qatar Athletics Federation, also hailed the winners.
'Our plans for the future are on track. We are especially focused on the World Indoors in Birmingham next month and the experience here in Tehran will surely help, said Fadhala
Last updated: February 03 2018 01:02 AM
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