GULF TIMES That Spurred Dalilah to Worlds Gold SPORT Page 3 Bbarshimarshim Toto Telltell Kkids:Ids: I Waswas Oneone Ooff Yyouou Gguysuys
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RRUGBYUGBY | Page 6 FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 7 England fi rst Salah injury into quarters, overshadows Japan extend late win for dream run Liverpool Sunday, October 6, 2019 ATHLETICS Safar 7, 1441 AH The simple question GULF TIMES that spurred Dalilah to Worlds gold SPORT Page 3 BBarshimarshim toto telltell kkids:ids: I waswas oneone ooff yyouou gguysuys By Mikhil Bhat this should inspire Arab people.” out’,” said the 1.88m tall athlete, who had Doha It’s not just Barshim’s persona and de- jumped competitively only thrice this sea- meanour that’s inspiring but also his nar- son before coming to the Worlds. rative and the way he has fought back into The covers from the upper tiers of the utaz Essa Barshim grew up to spotlight in front of the nation that is as Khalifa stadium had to come off after the love high jumping in the shad- grateful to him as he is to Qatar and its local fans poured in. Home advantage for ows of the iconic Khalifa Inter- people. Barshim kicked in and he knew it. national Stadium. The 28-year-old has had a 2.40m plus Every time he spread his arms wide MThis is where he threw tantrums while mark every year for six straight years since waving at the crowd behind him to make being at loggerheads with his then new 2013. He has come within two centimetres some noise as he prepared for his jump, coach Stanisław ‘Stanley’ Szczyrba of the world record 2.45m to be the all- they would respond in kind. because that’s what kids do when time number two. “Everybody came here and supported discipline is introduced. The Cuban World record holder Javier me a lot; I just wanted to do it for them. He even missed the Asian Athletics Sotomayor, who was present at the Kha- They are the champions tonight, not me,” Championships at the home venue in lifa stadium on Friday for compatriot and he said. April this year to ensure better recov- Pan American champion Luis Enrique Za- “They believed in me, they supported ery from a career-threatening injury yas, himself has, in the past, put faith in me, and I believe this will spark some- he sustained last year. Barshim to break his 1992 mark. thing, for the nation itself, for the upcom- But most importantly, and poeti- And it was this world record that halted ing events. Today I saw the joy in people’s cally, it’s where he rose like a falcon to Barshim’s run last year at the Gyulai Me- eyes. They didn’t believe it, now they do, become the only high jumper to success- morial in Szekesfehervar, Hungary. and I think they will come back.” fully defend his World Championship title After a spectacular 2017, when he be- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim on Friday. came the fi rst high jumper to win the IAAF bin Hamad al-Thani for sure was joyous. “I have won a lot of medals but this Athlete of the Year Award, Barshim had “He was very excited, very happy. I went one was at home, so it feels diff erent,” begun yet another run of victories in 2018, to see him after the end of the competition, said Barshim after beating the bar at a six to be precise including the one in Hun- and he said ‘Well done. I have no words to world leading 2.37m on an electric Friday gary. say. You did everything, more than I ex- evening, the eighth day of the IAAF World Having sealed the deal with a 2.40m ef- pected’. He’s really happy, he’s proud and I Athletics Championships Doha 2019. fort, Barshim felt good and decided to go am proud too,” Barshim said of his meeting Neutral athletes Mikhail Akimenko and for 2.46m. The Qatari star’s attempt to go with His Highness. Ilya Ivanyuk took silver and bronze respec- higher ended in pain as he hurt his ankle The packed Khalifa International Sta- tively behind the Qatari star. while taking off . dium was also a perfect recipe for pressure. “Aspire Academy is my home. I have a The next thing he knew he was getting “Of course, there was pressure (at these lot of great memories. It has played a big operated up on. championships), there is always pressure, role in my career. They gave me such a “One year ago, I got off the crutches, I but I need that pressure to jump. I love big opportunity to be who I am,” Barshim took my fi rst step. My injury was very se- to perform in a fi eld where everybody is said referring to the world class sporting rious, it could have been career-ending; strong and in front of a big crowd. I think academy, which is right next door from the and then you start questioning yourself,” this is an extra push. Pressure in sports Khalifa stadium. Barshim said on Friday after his win. can be positive and can actually help you. “I always want to give back. As soon as “I wasn’t 100 per cent ready (on Friday), I needed that.” we settle down, I am going to come down but with all these people cheering for me And now that he has delivered, what’s and speak to the kids there and tell them like this I just forgot everything. I felt like, next for the world champion? that ‘you can do it. I was one of you guys.’ ‘OK it doesn’t matter what happens to- “Tokyo is the target of course,” he said. “We have great facilities, great support night, if I injure myself, it’s my last com- “However, fi rst I need to be fat, to eat as and I believe we can achieve a lot. I believe petition. I am going to push everything much as I can and to have a vacation!” QNB STARS LEAGUE Rayyan hand Al Sadd Qatar Clasico defeat By Sports Reporter en this season, there was a bit of spice to it as the disallowed as it ricocheted off Mowafak Adam ish off the rebound. Those hoping to catch their Brahimi put the result beyond doubt when Doha teams competed to not only win the Qatar Cla- en route to goal. The Lions did fi nally score mid- breath in the second half had no time to settle he wrestled his way into the box before sico, but also to maintain their super form. way through the half when Tabata’s out-swing- as The Wolves came straight out of the traps and launching a vicious strike which the goal- Much was on off er for a raucous crowd as ing corner was met by a super volley from Mer- were unfortunate not to have equalised when keeper was not able to save. Brahimi did have l Rayyan shocked Al Sadd in the fi rst the pre-match buzz found its way to the large cado and blasted into the roof of the net. Bounedjah’s goal was seen to be marginally off - a penalty saved late on, but the damage was Qatar Clasico of the season in the QNB number of fans present at the stadium. The cliche of being most vulnerable when you side. already done and Al Rayyan held on for a fa- Stars League yesterday. Naturally, the energy acted as a stimulant to have just scored came true as Al Sadd were back Bounedjah, however, was not to be denied mous and well-deserved victory in what was Al Rayyan’s goals were scored by the players who were quick into action as they on level terms within two minutes. Akram Afi f for long as he rose highest in the penalty area to another marvellous advertisement for the AGabriel Mercado (26th minute), Rodrigo Tabata sought hero status in the Qatar Clasico. The caused havoc in the penalty area before sliding cushion Hamed Ismail’s cross into the far corner QNB Stars League. (43rd), Abdulaziz Hatem (59th) and Yacine Bra- fi rst chance of the match fell to Bounedjah in the the ball back to Nam who powered it inside the with a beautiful header. Al Rayyan now fi nd themselves level on 12 himi (70th minute). For Al Sadd, Nam Tae-Hee opening minutes, but his strike from the byline post and past the goalkeeper. Al Rayyan were Once again, Al Rayyan found themselves ahead points with Al Sadd who still have an extra and Baghdad Bounedjah scored in the 28th and was excellently saved by the sprawling legs of able to take a half-time lead in the closing min- in no time when the imperious Brahimi slalomed game, against Al Arabi, in hand. 54th minute respectively. Fahad Younis. Shortly after, Al Rayyan thought utes when Brahimi’s accurate drive was saved into the box before releasing Hatem whose shot In the second match of the day, Al Ahli de- With both sides going into the match unbeat- they had taken the lead, but Tabata’s shot was by Saad al-Dossari with Tabata on hand to fi n- squirmed under the despairing arms of al-Dossari. feated Qatar Sports Club 2-0. Gulf Times 2 Sunday, October 6, 2019 SPOTLIGHT ‘I HOPE THIS MEDAL WILL GIVE ME A LOT MORE CONFIDENCE FOR TOKYO’ IAAF Doha apan completed a glorious men’s race walking double at the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019 courtesy of a com- Jmanding performance by world leader Japan’s Toshikazu Toshikazu Yamanishi.