Sports Sunday, September 27, 2020 15

Sweden’s Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis, world record holder Champions fly high at Wanda in the men’s competes during the Wanda Doha athletics Doha Diamond League meet meeting at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium (Qatar Sports Club) in Doha on Friday. (AFP)

HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and Qatar Athletics Kenya’s , who finished with a world leading time of Federation President and Chairman of the Organising Committee Dr Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari 8:22.54 in the women’s 3000m, leads the pack on Friday. (AFP) watch the proceeedings at the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium (Qatar Sports Club) on Friday. World athletes excel in QOC President HE Sheikh Joaan’s presence at Qatar Sports Club

Tribune News Network Jamaica who breezed to victo- ten do due to obvious reasons. meeting in Zagreb, USAs Payton Doha ry in the women’s 100m dash Tonight’s win is for my sister Chadwick notched up another in 10.87secs ahead of multiple who is celebrating her 18th victory in the women’s 100m In the presence of HE Sheikh world medalist Marie-Josee birthday,” he added. hurdles. Cindy Ofili started well Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, Ta Lou (11.21) of Ivory Coast, The expected three-way but faded over the final few bar- President, Qatar Olympic and USAs Kayla White (11.25). clash in the mens 110m hurdles riers, while Taliyah Brooks fin- Committee (QOC), the fourth In the much-awaited didn’t quite materialise after ished strongly, but Chadwick round and finale of this year’s women’s 3000m, it looked as USAs Freddie Crittenden was held on to win in 12.78. Brooks Wanda Doha Diamond League though Hellen Obiri would a non-starter and Frances Wil- was second in a PB of 12.86. concluded with some excep- register a rare defeat in the hem Belocian was disqualified Earlier in the evening, Ar- tional performances from Qatari capital. for a false start. But US indoor thur Cisse took almost half a world athletes at the Suhaim A day earlier, the world champion Aaron Mallet put second off his PB to win the Bin Hamad Stadium at Qatar cross-country champion from Double Olympic champion Elaine together the race of his life to 200m in an Ivorian record of Sports Club on Friday evening. Kenya had explained how Thompson-Herah of Jamaica cel- win in a PB of 13.15 (0.3m/s). 20.23 in his first race over the Providing home joy were Doha was one of her favourite ebrates after winning the wom- Qatar’s Mohamed Nasir Abbas after finishing third in the men’s 400m Swiss record-holder Jason Jo- distance since May 2018. Qatari athletes Mohamed Ab- cities to race in, having set her en’s 100m in 10.87secs. (AFP) clocking a personal best time of 45.96secs. seph was third in 13.40. Since the start of 2019, Cisse bas and Mohamed Al Garni. 3000m PB here in 2014 and World silver medalist Mary- has now set national records While Abbas excelled in the retained her world 5000m ti- the pace having slowed slightly. final stages, but Obiri held three attempts. It meant the trio na Bekh-Romanchuk saved her for 60m, 100m and 200m all of men’s 400m race finish- tle last year at the Khalifa In- Eight women were still in con- on to win in 8:22.54, the sec- equaled the meeting record that best for last in the which had previously been held ing 3rd with a personal best ternational Stadium. But when tention with two laps to go with ond-fastest time of her career had been set by Greek Konstan- which proved doubly beneficial by Ben Youssef Meite, the only time of 45.96, Mohamed Al world steeplechase champion Obiri, Chepkoech, Tirop and behind the 8:20.68 African tinos Filippidis back in 2013. as the event adopted the last other Ivorian man to win at a Garni was runners-up in the Beatrice Chepkoech breezed Kipkemboi still occupying the outdoor record she set on this They were all unsuccess- round counts format. Diamond League meeting. men’s 1500m B race clocking into the lead with about 550 first four places. very track six years ago. ful at 5.92m; Duplantis saved The Ukrainian leapt 6.91m As many as 117 athletes 3:44:30secs behind Moroc- metres left in tonight’s 3000m Chepkoech made her In the sizzling pole vault his final effort for an attempt (0.6m/s) to beat world bronze participated in Doha, 10 of co’s Ilyass El Ouali (3:43.66). race, Obiri kept her cool for move as she entered the home competition, world record hold- at 6m plus mark, but brought medalist Ese Brume and Khaddi whom had won medals at the American Kahmari Montgom- another before she straight for the penultimate er Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis the bar down. Yet, he was all Sagnia. Brumes superior final- 2016 Rio Olympics and 17 at ery (45.55) topped the 400m unleashed her trademark kick time, but Obiri responded with of Sweden emerged on top with smiles having won. round effort (6.68m) meant she the 2019 World Champion- race while Kuwait’s Yousef Kar- for home, eventually winning about 350 metres remaining, 5.82m –identical to that of his “It’s been a fantastic season finished ahead of Sagnia, even ships in Doha. am was second in 45.96. in a world-leading 8:22.54. her head rocking and arms arch-rivals of and I enjoyed sharing the mo- though the Swede had jumped The organising committee Among the star athletes to The field of 15 women, fighting, as is often her style at the US and Frenchman Renaud ment tonight with the guys,” he farther (6.85m) earlier in the made extraordinary efforts to light up the Doha show was loaded with world and Olympic the end of races. Lavillenie. But while Duplan- said. competition. ensure the competition was double Olympic champion medallists, Obiri led the pack Tirop and Chepkoech tis cleared on his first try, Ken- “We’ve not been able to see Ten days after winning held with all health and safety Elaine Thompson-Herah of and reached 2000m in 5:39.70, made up some ground in the dricks and Lavillenie needed each other this season as we of- at the Continental Tour Gold precautions in place. Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: City of Light prepares to host the coveted annual event

the Purebred Arabian World Large participation Championship race. Qatar Arabian Trophy of Qatari-owned des Juments (Gr1 PA) is a 2,000m event where the horses in Arabian Queen of the 4-year-old fillies races; Exciting will be decided. There are 12 fillies in the entry list, includ- contenders in ing HH Sheikh Mohammed Ventura Rebel wins QREC Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Arte- Qatar Arabian mis and Min’ha, Al Shaqab Club Renaissance Stakes World Cup with Racing’s Ajaweed, Almajdah, Meethag, Ryme Al Cham and Tribune News Network tar Racing & Equestrian Club- Ebraz seeking Um Taj, Sheail Bin Khalifa Doha sponsored race and Ventura Al Kuwari’s Lady Princess, Rebel, who was wearing cheek- an encore winner of the Qatar Arabian The Qatar Racing & Equestri- pieces for the first time, sat Trophy des Pouliches (Gr1 an Club Renaissance Stakes, a handily on the near side, with Tribune News Network PA) last year, and Mohamed Group 3 race over 1,200m for the runners spread out across Doha Bin Fahad Al Attiyah’s Miss 3-year-olds and up, was won the track. They began racing Boum Al Maury. by British raider Ventura Re- early and Ventura Rebel pulled The current circumstanc- bel at the Curragh racecourse into the lead in the final 100 es, which the world is going Purebred Arabian World in UK on Saturday. metres. He held of Forever In through due to the outbreak Championship race The Richard Fahey-trained Dreams (Dream Ahead x Dora of the new coronavirus (COV- Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1 3-year-old colt, who is by de Green) by half a length ID-19) pandemic has had Ebraz winner of Qatar Arabian World Cup 2019 will be seeking a repeat in Paris on October 4. PA) will be run over 2,000m as speedy sire Pastoral Pursuits to win this prestigious prize. a negative impact on many well, but for 4YO+. and out of the Firebreak mare Joint-favourite Summerghand sporting events. However, scale this year due to the 2 October. The Qatar Ara- The young ladies race The entry list is studded Finalize, had previously fin- (Lope de Vega x Kate The global horse racing events as- current circumstances. bian Trophy des Pou- has nine entries, including with world-class stars, includ- ished 3rd in the Group 1 Com- Great) came in third. sociated with Qatar are still in lains (Gr1 PA) – 3YO Al Shaqab Racing’s Alalwsj, ing HH Sheikh Abdullah Bin monwealth Cup at Royal Ascot Ventura Rebel was a place in more than one Euro- Feature races colts only – and the Alkedri and Jalela and Ali Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Tayf, HH this summer. This was his first £28,000 yearling at the Tat- pean country. The 2020 renewal Qatar Arabian Tro- Hamad Al Attiya’s My Belle Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khali- win at Group level and his first tersalls Ascot Yearling Sale, Following the Qatar Good- of the Qatar Prix phy des Pouliches Du Soleil. fa Al Thani’s Ebraz, who will be win as a 3-year-old having bought by Frederico Barberini wood Festival in late July and de l’Arc de Triom- (Gr1 PA) – 3YO fil- returning to defend his title fol- won twice at 2. from Bearstone Stud. He was early August this year and the phe weekend will lies only, both run QREC’s vision lowing his victory last year and Eleven lined up in the Qa- bred by Crossfields Bloodstock. Arc Trials and the Arc Trials be on October 3rd over 2000m, will As part of QREC’s vision to will be crowned this time with at ParisLongchamp two weeks and 4th with 17 races, crown the leaders of promote Qatar as a leader in another title as the champion ago, it is now time for the Qa- including ten group 1 the 3-year-old colts and the pure Arabian breed, the of the Doha Triple Crown, and tar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe races on the cards, featuring 3-year-old fillies. weekend involves other two Al Shaqab Racing’s Khataab, weekend at the same famous the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Tri- There are 18 colts in the races for Purebred Arabians Snan and Zalej Al Cham. Parisian racecourse in continu- omphe and the Qatar Arabian entry list of the boys races, in- at ParisLongchamp. The Qatar Until 4 October, the ation of Qatar’s sponsorship World Cup on the second day. cluding HH Sheikh Abdullah Arabian Trophy des Juments question will remain: Can since 2008. However, two associated Ara- Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s Abbes (Gr1 PA) - 4YO fillies only – Ebraz repeat on last year’s The event will be staged bian races will be held at St. and Sir Monlau, HH Sheikh will be on Saturday, 3 October. stunning victory or one of with all precautionary and pre- Cloud on October 2. Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Then, the peak of world’s his tough rivals will have ventive measures to ensure the Thani’s Alsaher and Asiak, Purebred Arabian racing ex- another say? The only thing safety of everyone at ParisLon- Entries of Arabian races Al Shaqab Racing’s Alhafar, cellence will be on display that can be confirmed at this champ. The global event is usu- Action for Purebred Arabians Emberator and Hazzam and on the finale with the Qatar time is that all eyes will be ally broadcast worldwide and will get underway with two Abdullah Bin Fahad Ah Al At- Arabian World Cup (Gr1 PA), on ParisLongchamp on Oc- this is expected to be on a larger races at St. Cloud on Friday, tiyah’s Munir Du Soleil. which is simply known as tober 4th for the answer!