Duke Of Dundee wins Late Yousef Al Romaihi Cup

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FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2019

African body aims to Zonderland aims to fly high develop gymnastics despite perils: Zaatar again after Doha rebound Morocco’s Hossaini impresses on Dutchman makes high bar final; Derwael tops among women on

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK VINAY NAYUDU Results DOHA DOHA MEN Parallel Bars THE president of the Afri- AS the 12 FIG Artistic World 1.Jingyuan Zou (China) 15.866 can Gymnastics Federation Cup’s qualifications came to a 2.Phuong Thanh Dinh (Vietnam) 14.733 Ali Zaatar, who is here to close on the second day of the 3.Ferhat Arican (Turkey) 14.633 4.Andrei Likhovitskiy (Belarus) 14.600 attend the 12th FIG Artis- four-day event at the Aspire 5.Vladislav Poliashov (Russia) 14.500 tic Gymnastic World Cup Dome on Thursday, the Neth- 6. Mitchell Morgans (Australia) 14.333 being staged at the Aspire erlands’ Epke Zonderland set- 7.Vasili Mikhalitsyn (Belarus) 14.233 Dome, was all praise for the tled into his zone making it to 8.Matteo Levantesi (Italy) 14.233 excellent organisation by the final of the men’s horizon- Horizontal Bar the hosts Qatar Gymnastics tal bar competition. 1.Tin Srbic (Croatia) 14.333 Federation, and the partici- Back to the venue which 2.Milad Karimi (Kazakhstan) 14.300 pation of athletes from the saw the ‘Flying Dutchman’ 3.Alexey Rostov (Russia) 14.133 4.Epke Zonderland (Netherlands) 14.100 African region. AGF President Ali Zaatar claim his third World title on 5.Shudi Deng (China) 14.100 Qatar has been host- the horizontal bar at the World 6.Hidetaka Miyachi (Japan) 14.066 ing the event for the last 12 was quite impressive in the Championships last October, 7.Randy Leru (Cuba) 14.033 years and Zaatar said there men’s vault totalling a score the 32-year-old 2012 Olym- 8.Carlo Macchini (Italy) 14.000 is no point talking about of 14.524 points to finish pics gold medallist reflected a Vault the standards of the meet 11th missing out on the final happy state saying he always 1.Igor Radilov (Ukraine) 14.916 in Doha for it is obviously berth by a narrow margin. looks forward to coming to 2.Hakseon Yang (Korea) 14.900 3.Artur Davtyan (Armenia) 14.849 world class. Abdulrahman, who Qatar. 4.Jorge Vega Lopez (Guatemala) 14.762 He was also happy that was hampered by an in- “It is good to be back in 5.Christopher Remkes (Australia) 14.699 the championship provides jury, meanwhile said he Doha”, said Zonderland soon 6.Marian Dragulescu (Romania) 14.616 a great chance for Arab and was proud to be competing. after his event. 7.Wei-Sheng Tseng (Taipei) 14.599 African gymnasts to par- “I am very proud to be the “I have a lot of good 8.Giarnni Regini-Moran (Great Britain) 14.599 ticipate and gain experience. first Libyan to represent my memories competing at this WOMEN “Even if the difference in country at the World Cup, arena not only from the World Balance Beam class of performance is stark he said. “Thank God, I was Championships, but the recent 1.Nina Derwael (Belgium) 13.566 2. (France) 13.366 between the world stars and offered a technical level de- World Cups as well. It is al- 3.Qui Li (China) 13.300 those aiming to match them, spite suffering injury during ways a good organisation and 4.Yumika Nakamura (Japan) 12.900 the common platform pro- training which also made as an athlete you know you can 5.Hua-Tien Ting (Taipei) 12.800 vides a chance to excel and me change my movement. perform well, when the organ- 6.Adela Sajn (Slovenia) 12.766 7.Soyoka Hanawa (Japan) 12.700 learn and compete,” said I entered the tournament isation is perfect. I was look- 8.Aneta Holasova (Czech Republic) 12.666 Zaatar while speaking to the as I aim to be at the top of ing forward to coming here,” media on the second day of my focus in order to present he added. the four-day World Cup. something to my country. He finished fourth on the 1. (USA) 14.000 2.Marine Boyer (France) 13.200 “There are African coun- “The competition here high bar in the qualification 3.Kim Bui (Germany) 13.200 tries that are interested in is very strong and the tech- with a score of 14.100. 4. (Italy) 13.166 gymnastics such as Algeria, nical level is also very high Another big name in the 5. (Russia) 13.066 6.Marta Pihan-Kulesza (Poland) 13.033 Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa with the participation of event, Croatia’s Tin Srbic was 7. (Italy) 13.033 and Nigeria, but the federa- international stars. But cer- the top qualifier with 14.333. 8. (France) 12.833 tion is still trying to devel- tainly the high level is ben- While Zonderland couldn’t 9.Phoebe Jakubczyk (Great Britain) 12.833 op gymnastics despite the eficial to us,” he stressed. make the final on the parallel hardships,” he added. Mohammed Sulaiman al bars where China’s Jingyuan Epke Zonderland of the Netherlands during his horizontal bar routine on the second day of 12th FIG World Cup at the “Gymnastics is one sport Ramli, the coach of the Lib- Zou came up with a strong Aspire Dome on Thursday. where a small error can yan gymnastics team, also show earning 15.866 points make for the big difference praised Abdurrahman’s par- with a difficulty score of 6.6. holds and the improvement he old topped the balance beam between winning and los- ticipation. “Abdulrahman’s The race for first place in has shown. qualification with a score of ing. But the mere chance of participation was outstand- the vault final is going to be Mosa’s heartening per- 13.566. being involved in a competi- ing but we did not have any intense with Ukrainian Igor formance was watched by On Friday, she will first tion which has world stars luck. He was injured during Radilov (14.916) pushing Ko- Qatar Gymnastics Federa- compete in the of artistic gymnastics is a training but his effort is a rean Hakseon Yang (14.900) tion President Ali al Hitmi final. indeed great gain for those matter of pride for all of us. to the second spot in the among others. USA’s Jade Carey, on a aiming to learn and reach “I am very proud of Ab- qualifier. Meanwhile in the wom- mission for another double in higher,” he stressed. dulrahman, who has been Qatar’s Ahmed Mosa was en’s section, Belgium’s Nina the World Cup series, placed Among many such ath- respected by everyone be- also impressive on the hori- Derwael in her first appear- herself among the finalists on letes who were in action on cause of the performance zontal bar as the youngster de- ance of 2019 continued her the vault. She claimed the top Thursday included Hamza level he showed despite the lighted home fans with a good good show on the balance spot in the floor exercise with a Hossaini of Morocco, Ahmet injury. Inshallah, Abdulrah- routine picking up 12.066 beam as well. tally of 14.000. Onder of Turkey and Abdul- man will have a good role points with a difficulty score of Aiming to make the Tokyo Two Italians, Lara Mori rahman Othman of Libya. in future events,” said the 4.3. While it couldn’t get him a 2020 Olympics and gearing and former world champion Hamza in particular coach. place in the final, it brought to up for next month’s European Vanessa Ferrari will also com- light the promise the gymnast Qatari gymnasts Ahmed Mosa on the high bar finished impressively. Championships, the 18-year- pete in the finals on Saturday.

AFC U-23 CHAMPIONSHIP THAILAND 2020 QUALIFIERS Upbeat Qatar face Afghanistan for Thailand ticket today There are 11 groups and the 11 winners Nepal coach Bal Cobal de- and four best second-placed teams will scribed his side as the under- qualify for the Finals dogs of the group. “We are in a tough group and the least ranked among the teams but IKOLI VICTOR Qatar coach Albert Fernan- we will give our best,” Bal said. DOHA dez said: “Our target is to qualify “Football is unpredictable for the finals and we know it will so we are hoping to give our QATAR, powered by several be fierce among the teams be- best to get a result.” players who played significant cause it is the road to the Olym- There are 11 groups of four roles in their national team’s pics. I am happy some of our teams and the 11 winners and famed AFC Asian Cup 2019 players have had the Asian Cup four best second-placed teams triumph, should be confident experience and it will count for Tokyo 2020 will qualify for the Finals, with about advancing from Group A us.” hosts Thailand receiving auto- where they will host Afghanistan Responding to a question the target matic qualification. The Olym- at the Aspire Academy on Friday about Qatar being tagged as fa- “Our target is to pic qualifiers are restricted to in the AFC U23 Championship vourites, the Spanish tactician qualify for the finals under-23 players with three Thailand 2020 Qualifiers. said: “There are no favourites and we know it will be over-age players permitted at Oman and Nepal will because all the teams have open fierce among the recent finals. open the group with a game at chance and we must play strong (From left) Afghanistan coach Fayez Mugtaba, Oman coach Hamad El Azani, Nepal coach Bal Cobal and Qatar teams because it is 5.00pm, while Qatar’s match to win. Yes, we are the Asia coach Albert Fernandez during the pre-match press conference in Doha on Thursday. Fixtures is scheduled at 7.00pm at the champions but in the senior the road to the same venue. category and to an extent it puts problems. However, we would invested in football so they Oman coach Hamad El Olympics.” Friday Qatar aim to make their the players under some kind of try and make a name for our- are well positioned to succeed. Azani believes his players have Albert Fernandez Oman 17 : 00 Nepal third appearance in the AFC pressure. We however want to selves. We had three months Our players have suffered so done enough to secure a ticket Qatar 19 : 00 Afghanistan U23 Championship Finals after qualify.” of camping but barely played much saddened by the war from the group. “The players finishing third in the last edi- Afghanistan coach Fayez any friendly match due to se- situation in the country. They are motivated and ready and I favourites,” Hamad added. Sunday tion. Mugtaba is confident his side curity challenges and weather want to bring joy to the citi- think we have done a great job The Oman team includes Afghanistan 17 : 00 Oman At the pre-match conference will put up a good fight despite conditions. zens,” Mugtaba added. in terms of preparations. Mohsin al Ghassani, Salah Nepal 19 : 00 Qatar on Thursday, coaches of all the the presence of Qatar and “Football is based on in- All the Afghanistan players “Our preparations were al Yahyaei and Ammar al Tuesday four teams gave hints on their Oman in the group. “We are vestment and the return of are based at home except for fine and we had some friend- Rasheedi who played for the Qatar 19 : 00 Oman team’s chances and prepara- well prepared for the tourna- investment comes in the later two who play abroad accord- lies to test the players. Every national team in the Asian Cup tions. ment but have suffered lots of years. Qatar and Oman have ing to the coach. team is equal and there are no in the UAE. Nepal 19 : 00 Afghanistan Sports Friday, March 22, 2019 13 LATE YOUSEF AL ROMAIHI CUP 1,000 athletes to compete in Asian championships in Doha next month Participants from 43 nations to battle for 186 medals

TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK our preparations for such ma- promising athletes who can DOHA jor events than hosting the then return to Doha in Sep- Asian Athletics Champion- tember and shine on the DOHA, the world-renowned ships,” Hamad added. global stage when the city athletics destination, is set to The four-day champion- hosts the IAAF World Athlet- welcome Asia’s top athletes in ship takes place at the Khalifa ics Championships. a month’s time when the city International Stadium where “It’s a great honour to wel- plays host to the 23rd Asian innovative and environmen- come some of the finest ath- Athletics Championships from tally friendly cooling tech- letes in the world to Doha for April 21 to 24 at the iconic nology has been successfully yet another major athletics state-of-the-art Khalifa Inter- operating, ensuring optimal event. As always, our facilities national Stadium. conditions for athletes and fans and infrastructure are ready The latest edition of the alike. to help athletes compete at continental athletics showpiece Over morning and evening their best and deliver an amaz- brings together nearly 1,000 sessions in which participating ing atmosphere for fans of the Rider Ronan Thomas and winning connections of Duke Of Dundee after the prize distribution of the Late Yousef Al Romaihi Cup race at the athletes and up to 450 officials athletes will compete for 186 game in Qatar and the region,” Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club Racecouse in New Al Rayyan on Thursday. from 45 countries, who will medals in 21 men’s events, 21 said Qatar Athletics Federation compete for top honours. women’s events in addition to President Dr Thani bin Abdul- “I’m thrilled to welcome a mixed relay event that makes rahman al Kuwari. Asia’s elite athletes to Doha, its debut in the Asian Athletics Along with the Diamond the global hub for athletics, Championships. League round in May, the where our outstanding facili- The tournament will see Asian Athletics Champion- Duke Of Dundee ties promise to deliver a flaw- the usual continental power- ships will be the official test less experience for everyone houses go head-to-head for the event of the IAAF World Ath- involved in the event,” said number one spot in Asia’s ath- letics Championships, with all Dahlan al Hamad, President letics. After an initial period of major operations, including of the Asian Athletics Associa- Japanese dominance over the the venue, transport and ac- wins Romaihi Cup tion and Vice-President of the championship, China have tak- commodation, set to be exam- International Association of en over as undisputed champi- ined to ensure a smooth and Athletics Federations. ons for 17 consecutive editions spotless experience during the “Qatar is about to embark until it was unseated by last global showpiece. Four winners for trainer Ghazali; double for Thomas, de Mieulle & Ramzani on an enthralling summer of edition’s hosts and eventual Doha has a proven track re- first-class athletics with the winners, India. cord of bringing international TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK Giuseppe Garibaldi dueled for bred Arabian Maiden Plate colt, it was second winner in a IAAF Diamond League and With top Asian athletes athletics to the region by stag- DOHA the lead, Alban de Mieulle- (3 years olds) 1,400m. AJS row and third in five races in IAAF World Athletics Cham- descending on Doha from ing the annual Doha Diamond trained Duke of Dundee, who Rayah was third by more than Doha this season. pionships to follow as top ath- the different regions of the League, World Indoor Athlet- RONAN Thomas had a superb was able to regain some en- a length. For the four-year-old The Al Ghazali Stud-owned letics events staged in Doha. continent, the 23rd champi- ics Championships in 2010 and day at the 37th Race Meeting ergy, launched another attack gray colt, this was his second Lekhraib, ridden by Anas al There is no better way to test onships will surely produce Asian Games in 2006. as he started and finished with when asked by Thomas. He win in four races this season. Seyabi, beat Gold Amer by a wins, including the feature bolted ahead and kept charg- Famed trainer Jassim length to win the Purebred event the Late Yousef Al Ro- ing before clinching the race Ghazali however dominated Arabian Maiden Plate for maihi Cup, at the Qatar Rac- by neck, while Masterpiece the day with his wards winning the first victory this season, ing and Equestrian Club Race- finished third, two lengths be- four races and fetching British while JP Guillambert guided course on Thursday. hind. Off He Goes was fourth, rider Bentley a double in the Luchador, owned by Khalifa Umm Qarn-owned Duke of managing to edge Otwo by process. Bentley guided Al Sha- bin Sheail al Kuwari, to vic- Dundee, with Thomas astride, quarter of a length. hania’s E’zaaz to a comfortable tory in the Thoroughbred Plate waited most of the 3,200m This was the second win in triumph in the Purebred Ara- (Class 3) for three years olds race behind pace-setter Al five races for the seven-year- bian Handicap 1,400m against by half length against Life Of Jeryan Stud’s Berkley Square old bay gelding from Umm AJS Al Maha for the first vic- Riley (Thomas). It was also his and remained stuck close Qarn and overall fourth tri- tory in six races this season. first winner of the season. to the rails. Just before the umph in 23 runs, rebounding Later, Bentley and Indian Ibrahim al Malki’s Shaman home stretch, Masterpiece well from his seven-place fin- Horseman pulled off a half- Bu Thaila, ridden by Eduardo grabbed the second spot from ish in last month’s prestigious length victory in the Thorough- Pedroza, continued his hot the seven-year-old bay geld- Amir’s Trophy Race (QA Gr1). bred Plate for three years olds run in the season, posting his ing and challenged new leader Earlier, Thomas launched (Class 2) 1,600m against Rex third victory in succession. The Giuseppe Garibaldi, who was the action well, leading Umm Place (John Egan). Raheed five-year-old chestnut colt beat under Ivan Rossi. Qarn’s Fahim to a fine three Almeydan was third narrowly Mister Mahjoob by over four As both Masterpiece, rid- and a half lengths victory by neck. For Khalifa bin Sheail lengths and it was his fourth den by Harry Bentley, and against Murihk in the Pure- al Kuwari’s three-year-old bay winner in five races. The Khalifa International Stadium in Doha: The venue of the Asian Athletics Championships next month. Fraser, Elvira take Finch hopes Aussies continue momentum lead in Malaysia AFP The win in India -- after Shah Afridi -- to get them fresh SHARJAH (UNITED ARAB EMIRATES) six consecutive one-day series for the mega event. AFP Els finished the day on 68. defeats -- was a boost for the But Finch is not ready to KUALA LUMPUR Former champion Fraser, AUSTRALIAN skipper Aaron Australia team who lost two key take a new-look Pakistan light- who clinched the inaugural Finch hopes his team carry the players -- skipper Steven Smith ly. “I think Pakistan has obvi- AUSTRALIAN Marcus Fraser edition in 2016, fired eight momentum of a series win in and opener David Warner -- ously played in these conditions and Spaniard Nacho Elvira birdies including an amazing India to their five-match series to bans for ball tampering last for a long time,” said Finch of fired matching 65s in hot and 20-foot putt at the par-3 sev- against Pakistan starting in year. Pakistan who have not beaten humid conditions Thursday enth hole to share the lead. Sharjah from Friday. “I think since we played Australia in a bilateral series to share the joint lead on the “I’m definitely a part-time The Pakistan series is the South Africa in Australia we since 2002, losing the last five opening day of the Maybank golfer these days. It’s nice to last chance for Australia to fill have got better and better,” said series. Championship. go out on the golf course and any gapes before they defend Finch of the 2-1 series defeat in Pakistan also have just one The pair hold a one shot ad- it doesn’t mean as much as it their title in the World Cup November las year. win against Australia from the vantage over the following trio used to,” he said. starting in UK from May 30. “I think we are starting to last ten one-day internationals. of Jazz Janewattananond, An- Elvira kept pace with Finch hopes his team keeps get a real clear strategy in a real Australian skipper Aaron Finch Pakistan’s stand-in skip- gelo Que and Matthias Schwab Fraser thanks to a good start improving. game plan and how we want to per Shoaib Malik is confident at the Saujana Golf and Coun- which included four birdies in “It is about trying to main- play one-day cricket and it is their one-year bans expire on Pakistan are also in the conditions in UAE -- where Pa- try Club in Kuala Lumpur. his first eight holes. tain our momentum that we got just about making sure that we March 29 but they were reinte- build-up for the World Cup, kistan have been playing their Big-hitting Belgian Thom- “I’m happy with the way in India,” said Finch of the 3-2 continue in that way.” grated with the team in United having rested six key players -- home matches since 2009 at- as Pieters was lurking two things are going, happy to be come from behind win earlier Smith and Warner were Arab Emirates (UAE) before skipper Sarfraz Ahmed, Babar tacks on the Sri Lankan team strokes behind on 67, while turning around my golf game a this month -- Australia’s first available for the last two one- leaving to play in the Indian Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab bus in Lahore -- will favour his four-time Major winner Ernie little bit,” Elvira said. series win in India since 2009. day matches of this series after Premier League. Khan, Hasan Ali and Shaheen team.

IPL captains sign The six players to watch during 12th IPL season ‘fair play’ pledge

AFP nament,” Smith told Cricket his veteran-packed side. Fans worth by bagging 21 wickets IANS NEW DELHI Australia. “I am playing all the had dubbed the Kings dugout in his team’s runners-up finish NEW DELHI shots and got my power back. I a “retirement home” contain- last year. At age 20, leg-spin- THE following six players to am tracking really well.” ing Dhoni and Australian all- ner Khan is in high demand THE Indian Premier League watch when the 12th season rounder Shane Watson, who for Twenty20 leagues across (IPL) is set to start on Saturday of the high-octane Twenty20 David Warner were both 36 at the time, and the globe but has a special and the captains of the eight Indian Premier League begins Accused of being the insti- South Africa’s Faf du Plessis, place for his war-torn nation’s teams embarked in Chennai on Saturday: gator of the Australia cheat- who was 33. But Dhoni’s “cap- adopted cricketing homeland on Thursday for the captains’ ing scandal, the explosive tain cool” approach led the Su- India. meet and signing of the pledge Steve Smith 32-year-old Sunrisers Hy- per Kings to glory and a year to play the game in fair spirit. A year after breaking down derabad opener is out to show later, with retirement appear- Chris Gayle The eight teams competing in front of the TV cameras fol- he is a reformed character af- ing on the horizon, it could be Owners and coaches ap- in the IPL are: Chennai Super lowing his ball-tampering ban, ter punching England’s Joe Steve Smith MS Dhoni the final Twenty20 flourish for plauded when Kings XI Pun- Kings (CSK), Royal Challeng- the former Australian skipper Root in a pub early in his ca- the 37-year-old wicketkeeper- jab snapped up the self-titled ers Bangalore (RCB), Mumbai embarks on the road to re- reer and squaring up to South turn to the blistering IPL form week with fellow England star batsman who led India to two “Universe Boss” in 2018 after Indians (MI), Kolkata Knight demption in the world’s most Africa’s Quinton de Kock last he showed two seasons ago. Jos Buttler the Royals tweet- World Cup triumphs. he remained unsold in two Riders (KKR), Rajasthan Roy- popular Twenty20 tourna- year. “Really excited to be back Last year, with a court case for ed: “Where are Ben Stokes auction rounds. The big-hit- als (RR), Kings XI Punjab ment. Smith, 29, is no longer in IPL. It’s a great field, great affray hanging over his head and Jos Buttler, you ask? They Rashid Khan ting 39-year-old West Indian (KXIP), Sunrisers Hyderabad captain of his IPL side Ra- buzz and energy,” said the left- from which he was later ac- have returned home!”. The Afghanistan spin sen- did not disappoint, scoring (SRH) and Delhi Capitals (DC). jasthan Royals but the bats- hander, who is looking to play quitted, Stokes produced just sation remains world cricket’s 368 runs including a hundred A senior BCCI official said man remains key to the team’s himself back into Australia’s 196 runs and eight wickets in MS Dhoni hottest property as he gears up and three fifties in 11 games. the pledge was being pre-re- hope of winning their second World Cup squad. 12 matches for the Rajasthan The ageless Indian war- for another IPL edition with The West Indian has said he corded on the sidelines of the title after a memorable tri- Royals who had splurged horse led Chennai Super Sunrisers Hyderabad. The will retire after this year’s captains’ meet so that all of them umph in the 2008 inaugural Ben Stokes $1.96 million for the left- Kings’ charge to their third world’s top Twenty20 bowler World Cup but is not short of can go back to their respective edition. “I love playing in In- The 27-year-old England handed batsman and right- IPL title last year, defying de- was snapped up by Sunrisers confidence heading into the franchises well in time for their dia, the IPL is a terrific tour- all-rounder will be keen to re- arm paceman. On arrival this tractors who had written off for $597,000 and proved his new IPL campaign. opening games of the season.”