Kuwait runners win two medals

This news has been read 6931 times!

DOHA, April 23, (KUNA): Kuwait’s sprinter Yousef Karam won the first gold medal for his country on Monday after finishing the 400m men race first at the 23rd Asian Athletic Championship in 44.84 seconds.

Bahrain’s sprinter Abu Baker Abbas came in second in the race at 45.14 seconds, while Kazakhstan’s sprinter clinched the third place at 45.25 seconds.

Karam expressed to KUNA his great joy for winning a gold medal at this grand continental event, and also for qualifying to the upcoming IAAF World Athletic Championships in Doha next September, valuing Kuwait Association of Athletic Federation’ support to all Kuwaiti athletes.

Winning a gold, after attaining a silver medal in the 400m men race at the Arab Championship, is due to the good preparations for the Asian tourney in the last period, he noted.

It is also due to the Kuwaiti Association’s great efforts and focus on holding a strong training camps for the Kuwaiti national team in Doha to prepare for the Arab and Asian championships, said the Kuwaiti sprinter.

Meanwhile, compatriot Ibrahim Al-Dhefeeri attained a silver medal in the 800m men race in the Asian Athletic championship completing in 1.46.88 minutes.

Qatar’s sprinter Abu Baker Abdullah won the gold medal after finishing the race in 1.44.33, while his countryman Jamal Hairan clinched the silver after completing 1.47.27.

For his part, Al-Dhefeeri expressed his utmost happiness for achieving a silver medal for Kuwait, which is, as he describes as, the “greatest” accomplishment in his athletic career, noting the race was so competitive with the Qatari sprinters who are veterans of the game.

He dedicated his achievement to the Kuwaiti political leadership, Kuwait Association of Athletic Federation, and his trainer Sultan Al-Mutairi.

Board member of Kuwait Association of Athletic Federation Bader Al-Rushoud expressed to KUNA his pride of the accomplishments made by sprinters Karam and Al-Dhefeeri for their country at this Asian grand event and against renowned Asian champions.

Such an achievement is a result of joint efforts by the sprinters, Association, coaching and administrative staffs, Al-Rushoud noted, expressing his hope that Kuwaiti athletes keep up their good efforts to making further achievements in the remaining days of this championship.

This news has been read 6931 times!