Sport

WEDNESDAY 28 JULY 2021 BilesBil uncertain if she will continue at Games I do not trust myself anymore. I have to focus on my mental hehealth.a There is more to life than just gymnastics. It is very unfortunateunf that it has to happen at this stage because I ddefinitelyef wanted these Olympics to go a little bit better.

SimoneS Biles Sport |15

OLYMPICS: FOOTBALL France vs Japan, South Africa vs Mexico, Australia vs Egypt, Germany vs Ivory Coast, Saudi Arabia vs Brazil

Qatar's Cherif, Tijan ready for Italy M E D A L S 1 Japan 10 3 5 18 2 USA 9 8 8 25 game as Al Rumaihi aims to shine 3 China 9 5 7 21 4 ROC 7 7 4 18 THE PENINSULA – DOHA 5 Great Britain 4 5 4 13 Qatar’s beach volleyball duo of Cherif 6 South Korea 3 2 5 10 Younousse and Ahmed Tijan will return 7 Australia 3 1 5 9 into action once again today as they will 8 Canada 2 3 3 8 face Italy’s Adrian Carambula and Enrico Rossi in their second match at the Shiokaze 9 France 2 2 3 7 Park. 10 Germany 2 0 3 5 Cherif and Tijan began their Tokyo 11 Kosovo 2 0 0 2 Olympics campaign on high note on Sunday with a 21-17, 21-16 victory over 12 Italy 1 5 6 12 Adrian Heidrich and Mirco Gerson of 13 Chinese Taipei 1 2 3 6 Switzerland. 14 Brazil 1 2 2 5 Cherif and Ahmed will play today’s match after clinching the World No. 1 spot 14 Switzerland 1 2 2 5 in the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) ranking for the first time on Monday. The newly released list placed Qatar’s duo right at the top with 5160 points ahead Ledecky goes for of Norway’s Anders Mol and Christian Sorum in the second place with 4960 two golds in a day points. For his part, Qatar’s trap shooter REUTERS – TOKYO Mohammed Al Rumaihi stepped up his preparations for the Olympic Challenge. Round two of the Katie Ledecky vs Al Rumaihi had his final pre-event Ariarne Titmus rivalry lights up the pool training session at Asaka Shooting Range at the Tokyo Olympics today as the US yesterday. great seeks to add two more gold medals Al Rumaihi will begin his Tokyo President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani walks with Qatar’s trap shooter to her career collection of five. Olympic campaign with the qualification Mohammed Al Rumaihi and other officials after a training session yesterday. Ledecky starts off with the 200m round today. freestyle, an event for which the reigning “It’s my first Olympics and I am tar- champion qualified third fastest with geting a medal for my country,” he said Australia’s Titmus leading the way, and ahead of his competition. Sheikh Joaan attends shooting training returns just over an hour later for the 1,500m free. The shorter race will be the Al Obaidly makes Olympic debut sessions and swimming competitions second big battle between the American and her 400m nemesis, with Titmus Qatar’s promising swimmer Abdulaziz Al THE PENINSULA – TOKYO lining up as favourite for her second gold Obaidly made his Olympic debut at the The QOC President urged Qatar’s ace shooter to do of the Games. Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games yesterday. his best to write a new chapter in Qatar’s sports history Another gold would make Titmus the The 19-year-old participated in Heat 1 President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), H E wishing him the best of luck in today’s competitions. first Australian woman to complete the of men’s 200m breaststroke held at the Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, attended the pre- H E Sheikh Joaan also attended Men’s 200m breast- 200-400 Olympic double since Shane Tokyo Aquatics Centre where he clocked event training sessions of our trap shooter Mohammed stroke competitions held at Tokyo Aquatics Centre yes- Gould at the Munich 1972 Games. a time of 2:23:22 minutes to take the eighth Al Rumaihi held at Asaka Shooting Range yesterday. terday where Abdulaziz Al Obaidly concluded his par- Ledecky is at least the clear favourite place. Al Rumaihi will begin his Tokyo Olympic campaign ticipation in Tokyo Olympics with a new personal record for the 1,500, having qualified by far the On the other hand, Qatar’s weightlifter with the qualification round today. of 2:23.22 minutes. fastest and also holding the world Fares Ibrahim is intensifying his training record. sessions ahead of his participation in the Men’s weightlifting competition at Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Likewise, Qatar’s rower Tala Abujbara is going hard on training for her Final E race of women’s singles sculls on Friday. In football scene, the Qatar’s interna- tional football referee Abdallah Al Athba has expressed his gratitude and pride to be the first ever Qatari will represent the country’s football refereeing experience at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. In statement to Qatar’s media dele- gation to Tokyo yesterday, Al Athba said:” It is great honour to see the Qatar’s refe- reeing experience for first time in the Ahmed Cherif Olympics”. Tijan Younousse “I have been selected by the FIFA as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR referee), to monitor the football games of both men Qatar’s Abdulaziz Al Obaidly in action as he makes his Olympic debut and women teams in Tokyo 2020 Olympic at the Tokyo Games yesterday. Games” added Al Athba. Meanwhile, Qatar’s athletes are all set to begin their campaign in athletics com- QATARI ATHLETES IN ACTION TODAY Qatar’s trap shooter petitions from July 30. Qatar’s athletics TIME SPORT EVENT/COMPETITOR Mohammed Al Rumaihi squad includes Mutaz Barshim, Femi 3:50 Shooting Trap Men's Qualification - Day 1 Mohammed Al Rumaihi during a final training Ogunode Ashraf El Saifi, Abubaker Hayder, 14:00 Beach Volleyball Men's Preliminary - Pool C session ahead of his Musab Adam, Abdulrhaman Saieed Abdul- competition yesterday. rahman Samba and Bashayer Al Mnawari. Cherif/Ahmed (Qatar) vs Carambula/Rossi (ITA) Preparations for the US semi-final going well, says Qatar’s Hassan THE PENINSULA – AUSTIN,USTIN, TETEXASXAS Qatar is aiming for a win to we faced here have participated in the days, and we have played four AFC Asian Cup champions a nervy securesecure a spotspot in the finalfin of the World Cups, and this confirms that matches so far, but our medical final 25 minutes. Abdelkarim HHassanassan hugelyhugely popular tournament.tourn the level of competition is high”. staff is doing a great job by helping Meanwhile, US midfielder Cristian (pictured), Qatar’s’s versatile “We“We achieved ourou goal in “Against El Salvador, we raced to the players recover soon,” Hassan Roldan said the match will be tough defender confirmeded thatthat hishis thethe match againstagainst El Sal- a 3-0 lead but then lost focus (on Sat- said. for his side, seeking seventh Gold Cup team’s preparationsons to face vadorvador match by reareachingc the urday). This led to us conceding two Qatar defeated El Salvador 3-2 in trophy. the US in the semi-finalsfinals ooff tthehe semifinals.semifinals. It was nonott an easy goals,” Hassan said. a thrilling quarter-final to seal their “We have high aspirations as a Gold Cup ‘are goingng well.well.'' matchmatch since we are pplayingl in He affirmed Qatar’s defensive place in the 2021 Gold Cup semi-finals team, as an organisation,” said The two teamss will clashclash thisthis tournamenttournam for ability and shrugged off the two goals at the State Farm Stadium in on Roldan. in the last four contestntest thethe firfirsts time,” conceded after leading El Salvador Saturday. “Qatar is going to be really dif- of the tournamentnt HassanHa 3-0, stressing that “the mistakes of the A brace by Almoez Ali and ficult, much like this game. They play early Friday said.sa El Salvador match will not be Abdulaziz Hatim’s strike saw Qatar in a 5-3-2, they’re really difficult to morning. “The repeated.” race into a 3-0 lead before El Salvador break down and they’re a transition Hassan said teams "We play a match every three pulled two back to give the reigning team, so we have to be smart.” WEDNESDAY 28 JULY 2020 SPORT 15

Biles fails in gold bid as Osaka exits Tokyo Games Simone Biles of the United States wearing a protective REUTERS — TOKYO the country. Games organisers face mask is seen leaving have reported a total of 155 a medical station during Simone Biles’ bid to launch a Marketa Vondrousova cases associated with the the final yesterday. history-making gold rush at the of Czech Republic Olympics, a tiny percentage Tokyo Olympics fell apart after celebrates after winning given the tens of thousands of a single vault yesterday when her third round match people who have come from the gymnast superstar pulled against Naomi Osaka of abroad. out of the team event, and her Japan, yesterday. Tokyo’s virus cases are American team-mates were counted separately from those beaten to the title by the reported in the Olympic village. Russians. Athletes and other officials who The late-night drama was a have travelled from abroad are Biles uncertain if she fitting end to a day which had separated from the public. begun under the threat of a EXPLOSIVE BREAKOUTS will continue at Games storm and featured the loss of Japan has not had the kind the face of these Games, tennis of explosive COVID-19 brea- TOKYO player Naomi Osaka. kouts that have crippled the REUTERS — back tears as she met with America’s silver team medal United States and parts of the world’s media. “I have to means Biles can no longer win Europe, but the vaccine roll-out Simone Biles was left focus on my mental health. six golds here which, added to has been slow and the weighing her Olympic future “There is more to life her haul of four from Rio, would healthcare system has struggled yesterday after dropping out than just gymnastics. have confirmed her status as to cope in parts of the country. of the women’s gymnastics “It is very unfortunate the greatest gymnast of all time. The number of severe team final at the Tokyo that it has to happen at this “After the performance I did COVID-19 cases in Tokyo over Summer Games after one stage because I definitely I just didn’t want to go on,” Biles the last month has roughly disappointing vault saying wanted these Olympics to go said. doubled to 78 as of Monday, she had to focus on her a little bit better. USA Gymnastics said Biles local government data showed. mental health. “We have to protect our had withdrawn because of a Coronavirus hospitalisations For so long Biles had mind and our body rather “medical issue”, and would be have also jumped at a similar appeared invincible, racking than just go out there and do assessed daily. clip, reaching 2,717. up 30 world and Olympic what the world wants us to “Injury, no,” she said. “Just While Osaka was out, and medals in a spectacular do.” a little injury to my pride.” Biles diminished, other compet- career that was expected to Robert Andrews, a While she could still, in itors enjoyed better days. come to a closely-watched mental training expert who theory, win five and match the Japan won their second climax in Tokyo as she worked with Biles for about current record, it seems straight gold in softball, beating launched a bid for six gold four years, said he suspected unlikely. the US 2-0, and Brazil’s Italo medals that would make her stress played a large factor Russian great Larisa Ferreira and American Carissa the greatest female Olympic in yesterday’s outcome. Latynina won nine gymnastic Moore overcame challenging champion of all time. “Gymnastics probably Olympic golds in the 1950s and conditions in brilliant style to But just as her quest got more than any other sport... ‘60s. Only Michael Phelps, with win historic first Olympic underway yesterday it all requires laser, pinpoint his 23 swimming golds, has won surfing gold medals. unravelled, the 24-year-old focus,” said Andrews. “Being more. In the women’s triathlon, American later conceding a global presence, the If Biles does win five here one whose multi-ethnic back- beaten in the first round. The Flora Duffy, 33, achieved instant that the pressure of living up greatest of all time, all that she would join four athletes on ground contrasts with the Games are taking place under national hero status when she to expectations had left her starts creating nine -- Latynina, swimmer image of an insular and male- a state of emergency and won Bermuda’s first Olympic no other choice but to stop interference.” Mark Spitz and track and field dominated country that without spectators, an unprec- gold medal. after one vault. He added: “If she’s this athletes Paavo Nurmi and Carl emerged in the run-up to the edented event in the history of With about 63,000 resi- The retirement from the stressed out to where she has Lewis. event. the modern Olympics. dents, the British Overseas Ter- team competition has left a mental block, I would OSAKA EXITS “I think it’s maybe because Tokyo reported 2,848 infec- ritory in the North Atlantic Biles’ future participation at approach it with caution.” Osaka, who lit the Olympic I haven’t played in an Olympics tions yesterday, in line with Ocean became the smallest the Tokyo Games in limbo. There was an instant cauldron on Friday to open the before and for the first one to warnings from health experts nation to win a Summer She had been expected outpouring of support for Games after a one-year post- be here was a bit much,” she that the summer would bring a Olympic gold medal. to feature in all six events at Biles on social media. ponement, looked out of sorts said. rebound in COVID-19 cases due In the pool, Russian Evgeny the Games that included a “Gratitude and support and never settled into a rhythm It was her first tournament to increased mobility and the Rylov broke a US stranglehold defence of her all-around are what @Simone_Biles as she lost 6-1, 6-4 in the third since she pulled out of the spread of variants. on the men’s 100m back- crown tomorrow followed by deserves,” White House Press round to Czech Marketa French Open in May. The Most Japanese opposed stroke, while Tom Dean four apparatus finals next Secretary Jen Psaki said on Vondrousova. women’s tennis tournament has holding the Games amid the powered to gold in the men’s week. Twitter. “Still the GOAT and Her departure left Japan now lost both of its top draw pandemic, especially as the 200m freestyle, heading a “I do not trust myself we are all just lucky to be without its best known global cards after Australia’s world healthcare system has been British one-two with Duncan anymore,” said Biles, fighting able to see her in action.” sporting figure in the Olympics, number one Ash Barty was pushed to the brink in parts of Scott taking silver.

Serbia’s Blake Govers of Australia takes a Powerhouse Germany Mandic ends shot yesterday. South Korean retain dressage gold hopes of REUTERS — TOKYO to Ludwig van Beethoven’s The United States won extending Ode to Joy. silver competing with two Equestrian powerhouse “I am totally happy about German-born riders Sabine gold run Germany comfortably won Bella,” she said after her ride. Schut-Kery and Steffen the dressage team gold medal “I don’t know how she could Peters, alongside Adrienne REUTERS — CHIBA at the Tokyo Olympics have done better”. Lyle. yesterday, with a trio of riders Werth told reporters the Britain with Charlotte Serbia’s Milica Mandic ended led by world number one choice of the music, which Dujardin, Charlotte Fry and South Korea’s unbroken Isabell Werth and also also serves as the anthem of Carl Hester took bronze. record of Olympic gold medals featuring Jessica von Bredow- the European Union, was in Dujardin, who won indi- for taekwondo yesterday, Werndl and Dorothee no way meant as a snub to her vidual dressage gold in 2016, beating Lee Dabin in the Hockey: Australia, Germany Schneider. competitors from Britain, will defend that title today on women’s heavyweight class Germany have won every which voted in 2016 to leave Gio, who has replaced her final to repeat her victory in light up men’s tournament Olympic dressage team gold the EU. now-retired horse Valegro the 2012 London Games. since 1984, apart from 2012 Schneider, 52, stepped on with whom she celebrated South Korea had won at REUTERS — TOKYO opportunities against you,” he said. when Britain snatched it on the top spot of the podium some of her biggest wins. least one taekwondo gold at Australia drew level with less home turf. yesterday just weeks after a Equestrian Olympic sports every Summer Games since Australia won their third straight than a minute to go until the end Already the most deco- traumatic accident in which have no gender-based cate- the sport became a full medal match in the men’s hockey tour- of the opening quarter when rated Olympian in her sport, the horse she was riding died gories and women and men Olympic event in 2000. nament at the Tokyo Olympics forward Blake Govers scored a Werth got her 11th medal underneath her and she broke compete on equal terms, often Lee was not the favourite to yesterday after putting five goals penalty corner, confirming his competing on mare Bella Rose a collar bone. into and even beyond their 50s. win the women’s +67kg cat- past reigning Olympic champions reputation as a penalty corner egory, but looked in great shape Argentina, while Germany also specialist. as she unexpectedly worked her scored five to overpower Britain. That was followed by three way through the matches, Belgium’s Red Lions brushed more goals in the second quarter reviving Team South Korea’s aside South Africa, winning 9-4, and one after the break, giving hopes for an elusive gold. while the Netherlands beat Australia - who beat Japan 5-3 In arguably the most Canada 4-2, hosts Japan earned and India 7-1 in their first two exciting match of the day, Lee their first point of the tournament games - the maximum nine points beat Britain’s Bianca Walkden with a 2-2 draw against New from three matches. in the semi-finals, turning the Zealand and India defeated Spain Also in the men’s competition, tables with a last-second 3-0. Belgium thrashed South Africa, head-kick to dash the world Australia’s ‘Kookaburras’ went with seven goals scored by the champion’s dreams of fin- behind against Argentina in the halftime break, booking their ishing top of the podium. fourth minute as the match got third straight win of the Walkden took the bronze. underway in rainy conditions but tournament. In the men’s +80kg cat- had scored four goals by halftime The Netherlands stayed on egory, world number one and went on to win 5-2. course to book a place in the Vladislav Larin overpowered “It was a good grind that first quarter-finals with their win over North Macedonia’s Dejan five, 10 minutes,” said Andrew Canada, putting them in third Georgievski to give the Russian Charter, Australia’s goalkeeper. position in their group behind Olympic Committee (ROC) the “We did concede one but at Belgium and Germany. top medal ranking with two of the same time, we had a couple The Germans handed Britain the eight taekwondo golds. of opportunities. This is interna- their first defeat of the tournament, The ROC also took a silver and tional hockey - you’re not going winning 5-1, including three goals Germany's gold medallists Dorothee Schneider, Isabell Werth and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl a bronze. to go through a game without any by attacker Florian Fuchs. celebrate on the podium after winning the dressage team event yesterday. Sport WEDNESDAY 28 JULY 2021 14 Qatar Goodwood Festival kicks off with thrilling races Trueshan lands Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes THE PENINSULA – GOODWOOD (Toronado) was in the fray and did well, especially in the early and middle The progressive five-year-old stages and finished sixth. The penul- Trueshan (Planteur x Shao Line) timate race was the Unibet Fillies’ carried the colours of his owner the Handicap, a Class 3 event for three- Singula Partnership to success in the year-old and older rated 0-95 over a Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes mile. (Group One) as the world-famous The eventual winner was Shadwell Qatar Goodwood Festival kicked off Estate Company Ltd’s Angham at Goodwood yesterday. (Frankel) for trainer Richard Hannon Trained by Alan King, Trueshan and jockey Jim Crowley. outstayed his seven rivals to take the Al Shaqab Racing’s Zwelela two-mile, group one contest under (Toronado) gave the winner a lot to the saddle of Hollie Doyle, who was think about in the last strides and fin- in a roll as she emerged victorious in ished runner-up for the winning three races. trainer and under jockey Rossa Ryan. Trueshan was slightly keen through the first couple of furlongs Top Gr 1 racing on but soon found cover behind race second day leader Nayef Road (Galileo). Going only a steady gallop, the positions All eyes are being drawn to second remained unchanged throughout the day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival first half of the contest. as thrilling racing will continue with On the downhill run for home some of the world’s top runners on (around six furlongs out), Trueshan display. followed through Nayef Road as the The main features of Day 2 will pair slipped the field. bear the name of Qatar. Nayef Road acted as the perfect All Arabian racing fans worldwide leader for the winner and once will be looking forward to the Qatar straightened up for home, Trueshan International Stakes (Gr 1 PA) to see was allowed stride on and always the legends 'Ebraz' and 'Tayf' along looked in command inside the final with the up and coming 'Lady princess' two furlongs. Jassim Moftah J M Al Moftah, Acting Deputy Ambassador of Qatar to the UK, presents the trophy to connection of Trueshan, facing each other for top honours. A brief challenge from outsider which won the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup Stakes (Group One) at Qatar Goodwood Festival yesterday. The other feature event will be the Away He Goes (Fahrr) helped Qatar Sussex Stakes, a Group 1 for Trueshan to dig deep and he went on was a little keen there but he would seven furlongs as well. Again, success Beckett-ridden and Rossa Ryan- thoroughbreds, where Al Shaqab to win by three and a half lengths at have been a lot worse if we didn’t was associated with the silks of Marc ridden Kinross (Kingman). Racing will be represented by the the line. Sir Ron Priestley (Australia) decide to run him the last day. A lot Chan through the Ralph Al Shaqab Racing’s Toro Strike Duhail. threatened to get involved on the turn of people thought we were mad for for home and held on gamely for third. running him with so much weight at Hollie Doyle guides Trueshan to victory Winning trainer Alan King said Newcastle, but he needed to race and in the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup after the race: “That was extremely thankfully it has all worked out today” Stakes. PICTURES: DOMINIC JAMES special and the horse hugely deserves Bred by Didier Stud, Trueshan’s it. We have been looking forward to success marks a first group one for his running him for a while and once the sire Planteur (Danehill Dancer) who rain came, it was always going to help. stands at Chapel Stud. When John (Gosden) said that he His dam, Shao Line (General wasn’t going to run Stradivarius the Holme) was a dual winner in France nerves started to creep in, I haven’t and has produced four winners with been that nervous for a long time. He Trueshan being her most successful. Angel Bleu, Kinross win Gr 2 contests Trained by Alan King, five-year-old Trueshan Trueshan overpowers his The eight-race card on the opening day of five-day Festival included two seven rivals to take the two-mile, Group 2 races. Angel Bleu (Dark Angel) group one contest under the saddle in the colours of Marc Chan won the Unibet Vintage Stakes, a Group 2 for of Hollie Doyle, on the opening day 2YOs over seven furlongs for trainer of the world-famous Qatar Ralph Beckett and jockey Frankie Goodwood Festival at the Dettori. Al Shaqab Racing’s Lusail was declared non-runner just before the picturesque Goodwood Racecourse. race due to the heavy ground. The other Group 2 event was the Unibet Lennox Stakes, for 3YO+ over Belgian defender Alderweireld joins Al Duhail from Tottenham

THE PENINSULA – DOHA

Al Duhail Sports Club yesterday announced that Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld (pictured) will join the former QNB Stars League champions from English Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur. The club announced on their official web site yesterday that the charismatic defender will stay with the Qatar football giants for three seasons . The former Ajax Amsterdam and Atletico Madrid star made 236 appear- ances for Spurs since 2015 and played a huge role in the club's back-to-back Premier League title challenges. He was also part of the Cham- pions League final in 2019. “We have reached agreement with Al Duhail SC in Qatar for the transfer of Toby Alderweireld. We wish Toby all the best for the future,” a Spurs statement said yesterday. Sri Lanka vs India T20 postponed after Krunal’s positive COVID test

REUTERS – COLOMBO Antigen Tests conducted ahead match also to be played in of the match yesterday Colombo. India won the first The second Twenty20 interna- morning, India all-rounder game by 38 runs in Colombo tional between Sri Lanka and Krunal Pandya was found to be on Sunday. India, scheduled for yesterday positive. The medical teams The positive test could give in Colombo, was pushed back have identified eight members Indian batsmen Prithvi Shaw by a day after India’s Krunal as close contacts,” BCCI said in and Suryakumar Yadav a Pandya tested positive for a statement. nervous wait as they were COVID-19, the country’s cricket The teams will now play picked for India’s test series board (BCCI) announced hours the remaining two fixtures of against England and were before the game. the three-match series on con- slated to travel at the end of the “Following the Rapid secutive days, with the third Sri Lanka tour.