BY RIZWAN REHMAT
DOHA: Qatar’s Khamis Saifeldin yesterday produced a slick run to bag the gold in the 2000m steeplechase as Yu Sen Shen of Chinese Taipei was crowned the fastest ‘boy’ on the opening day of the First Asian Youth Athletics Championships.
Saifeldin clocked a time of 5:54.34 to outrun China’s Lou Chun to bag the gold medal. Chun managed a time of 5:56.99 to claim the silver medal.
Vietnam’s Duc Le Trung (6:00.59) had to settle for the bronze medal.
“I am very happy with this time,” Saifeldin said. “This was my first event and I am delighted that I won in front of my fans,” he said.
“I dedicate this win to Mr Dahlan and my father who is my coach,” Khamis said.
“I owe a lot to my father, a former runner, who inspired me to follow athletics.
“I think I ran really well in the last 400 meters as I put a good distance between myself and the rest. In the last 100 meters, I knew I’d win today,” he said.
Also yesterday, Shen grabbed the title of the ‘fastest boy in Asia’ by winning the 100 meters final.
Shen clocked a time of 10.48 seconds while China’s Tang Yao (10.60) settled for silver.
Indonesia’s Burhan Wardhani finished with a bronze medal after clocking a time of 10.81 seconds.
“I tried my best against a very strong field. I am satisfied with my win and the time, which is very close to my 10.43 personal best,” Shen said.
Poon Hang Wei of Hong Kong also sparkled on the first day of the four-day event, emerging as the ‘fastest Asian youth girl’.
Wei clocked a time of 12.27 seconds to seal the gold medal.
Lebanon’s Lea Paul Obeid stunned fans with her breath-taking run and finished second with a time of 12.32 seconds.
China’s Hu Siyu (12.32 seconds) secured the bronze.
Wei said: “I am extremely happy with my run. I wasn’t expecting this. I hope I can win the 200 meters also.”
In the boys shot put, Chinese Taipei’s Hao Wein Ma managed a distance of 19.43 meters to take home the gold.
India’s Ashish Bhalothia (17.76 meters) won the silver while Japan’s Hiroshi Ikegawa (17.51) had to settle with a bronze medal at Qatar SC Stadium.
In the girls discuss throw, China’s Dong Xiaocen produced a throw of 45.58 meters in her second attempt to bag the gold.
UAE’s Fatima Al Hosani (41.80 meters) picked up the silver while India’s Seema (41.14) got the bronze medal.
In the girls 3000 meters final, Fatuma Jewaro Chebsi of Bahrain won the gold with a time of 9:30.17.
China’s Xia Yuyu (9:53.03) finished with a silver medal while India’s Anumol Thampi (10:24.98) grabbed the bronze.
Earlier, the day’s proceedings at Qatar Sport Club Stadium kicked-off with a brief yet bright opening ceremony which was attended by H E Sports Minister Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser Al Ali, Dahlan Al Hamad, President of Asian Athletics Association (AAA) and scores of other dignitaries.
“From the land of successes and achievements, we announce the launch of the First Asian Youth Athletics Championships,” Al Hamad, President of Qatar Athletics Federation (QAF), said in his opening remarks at the ceremony.
“Today is the long-awaited day for every track and field enthusiast; the day of the generation aspiring to achieve excellence and for a chance to reach the podium,” Al Hamad said.
“Yes, it is the day of the promising talent in our large continent.
“And yes, it is the big day for everyone who participated in this event as they have announced their full support for a developing and successful future,’ Al Hamad added.
“Young future champions and heroes of tomorrow, today you are in the land which shall host the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships,” Al Hamad said while addressing the young athletes. “We hope to see champions from this tournament participating in various competitions on the global stage to be among the top names, and be in pursuit of gold medals,” he said.
“We always wish for excellence, but constant hard work and provision of suitable environment alone shall guarantee the success of the set targets,” Al Hamad told the under-17 athletes.
“Today there is a championship; tomorrow, champions; and in future, the athletes that compete with world class athletes from all over the globe will taste success,” Al Hamad said.
THE PENINSULA
