(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
By Fawad Hussain I The Peninsula
Two years ago, Mohamed Al Rumaihi brought joy to Qatar’s shooting fraternity by booking an Olympic quota following a fine show at the 14th Asian Shooting Championships in Doha.
Since then the 32-year-old has followed a hectic training schedule with a single aim – an Olympic medal for Team Qatar at the Tokyo Olympics – and the moment of truth has come for the talented shooter.
Al Rumaihi, who is eyeing second shooting medal for Qatar at Games after Nasser Al Attiyah’s skeet bronze at London 2012, will open his campaign tomorrow at Asaka Shooting Range. He will be featuring in men’s trap event.
“It’s my first Olympics and I am targeting a medal for my country,” Al Rumaihi said as he wrapped up yesterday’s training session along with shooters from many countries including Kuwait, Egypt and Mexico.
“I have participated in many international championships including regional and continental events but it is a different feeling to be here at the Olympics and to be competing with world's top athletes,” he added.
Al Rumaihi said he is going into the competition with confidence after hectic preparations.
“My training for the Games began soon after I qualified for the Olympics in 2019. I have featured in many events besides spending a lot of time in training. I have left no stone unturned in my preparations despite challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and now, I am completely ready to make my debut at the Games,” the shooter said.
“I would like to thank the Qatar Olympic Committee and the Qatar Shooting and Archery Association (QSAA) for their all out support,” he said.
Al Rumaihi added the presence of shooters from other Arab countries including Kuwaitis Abdul Rahman Al Faihan and Talal Al Rashidi besides Egyptians Abdulaziz Mahlabah and Ahmed Zaher will make the event competitive.
Speaking on becoming Qatar’s joint flag bearer along with rower Tala Abujbara at Games opening ceremony on Friday, Al Rumaihi said:“It was a proud moment for me to raise Qatari flag during the parade”.
Meanwhile, QSAA Secretary-General Majid Ahmed Al Naimi hoped Al Rumaihi will clinch a podium finish.
“Al Rumaihi is talented and has worked hard for Olympics. He stands a good chance of winning a medal,” said Al Naimi before expressing his delight over increased number of Arab shooters at the Games.
“The presence of so many shooters from the Arab world shows shooting is progressing well in our region,” he said.
Al Obaidly ready for the challenge
Meanwhile, Qatar’s teenage sensation, Abdulaziz Al Obaidly will make a splash at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre today as he will compete in first heat of men’s 200m breaststroke.
The GCC champion Al Obaidly, who has impressive times at the FINA World Cup events, is hoping to leave a mark on debut at the Games.
“I will do my best and fight tooth and nail to improve my personal record and to gain further experience in swimming,” the 19-year-old said yesterday.
Meanwhile, in statement to the media yesterday, Qatar’s Deputy Chef De Mission Ahmed Al Darwish said:“Everything is going well, we are working together in full cooperation, we are doing our best to take up Qatar’s sport movement to new heights”.
Yesterday, Qatar’s beach volleyball duo of Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, who became World No.1 in the FIVB rankings continued their preparations for the second Pool C match against Italy’s Adrian Carambula and Enrico Rossi tomorrow. The Qatari pair defeated Adrian Heidrich and Mirco Gerson of Switzerland in their opening match.
Also yesterday, star weightlifter Fares Ibrahim held a training session ahead of his men’s 96kg event to be held on July 31 while Al Annabi’s athletic squad led by high jump world champion continued their training in Takasaki, near Tokyo.
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