BAHRAIN yesterday put up another sensational show to lead Arab countries in the overall medals table at the Fourth Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The nationals won three gold and two silver to jump into the top five of the medals table totalling 16 (nine gold, four silver, three bronze).
Competing against some of the best athletes from around the Islamic world (Asia and Africa), the Bahrainis put up a brave performance much to the admiration of the cheering crowd.
Salwa Eid opened Bahrain’s account on an action-packed day winning the women’s 400m gold in 51.33 seconds after a fierce battle against compatriot Adekoya Oluwakemi (51.81), who settled for silver while Nigeria’s Yinka Ajayi (52.57) claimed the bronze.
The results made both Bahraini runners eligible to compete in the next World Athletics Championships.
Later on, Yaqoub Salem led a four-member team to the men’s 4x100m relay gold in 39.55 seconds. The other Bahrainis in the team were Saeed Al Khaldi, Isah Musa and Andrew Fisher. Turkey (39.56) were a close second and Ivory Coast (39.82) third.
The women’s team followed suit as Hajer Al Amiri, Iman Isa, Salwa Eid and Edidiong Ofonime raced to victory in the 4x100m event in 44.98 seconds. Nigeria (46.20) and Cameron (46.79) were second and third, respectively.
Noora Jassim added another medal to Bahrain’s tally finishing second in discus throw (50.12m). She finished behind Gambian gold medalist Jessica Da Silva (50.23) and ahead of bronze medal winner Amina Moudden (49.56).
Bahrain also had some misfortune yesterday as Tigist Gashaw (4:21.31) and Dalila Gosa (4:23.88) crashed out of the women’s 1,500m battle finishing fourth and sixth, respectively.
Qualified
Morocco’s Rababe Arafi (4:18.92) took the gold, Turkey’s Meryem Akdag (4:19.91) silver and Amina Bettiche (4:21.29) of Algeria bronze.
Meanwhile, Benson Kiplagat and Sadik Mikhou qualified for the men’s 1,500m final scheduled for 4.25pm (Bahrain) today, the closing day of the athletics events.
Rose Chelimo and Shitaye Eshete of Bahrain will be running in the women’s 10,000m final (9.20am).
In the evening session, Sadik Mikhou and Benson Kiplagat will spearhead Bahrain in the men’s 1,500m final at 4.05pm while another Bahraini Abraham Cheroben will run in the men’s 10,000m final.
Elsewhere, Bahrain’s Adam Batirov will begin his campaign in the wrestling 70kg qualifying round at 9.44am.
Should the Asian wrestling champion pass the preliminary stages, he will be in the semi-finals at 10.39am, while the final is due at 12.05pm.