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Thursday, July 29, 2021 ATHLETICS Dhul-Hijjah 19, 1442 AH Qatar’s Barshim GULF TIMES among fi ve stars to watch out for SP RT Page 2

OLYMPICS / BEACH VOLLEYBALL Qatar’s Younousse and Tijan enter knockout round Qatar’s track and fi eld stars arrive at Olympic Village Tokyo: Qatar athletics stars “I will fight tooth and nail to had from Takasaki camp” arrived in the Olympic Vil- honour the country in the added al-Fadalah. lage in Tokyo yesterday after Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Noth- Qatar’s challenge at Tokyo their training camp in Taka- ing is easy in these games, Games is led by Barshim, MEDALS saki, Japan. Qatar’s athletics but I will put all eff orts to run who will be in action tomor- TALLY squad is spearheaded by faster, turn my dream into row (3:15am Qatar time). world high jump champion reality and step up the Olym- The 28-year-old holds Mutaz Barshim and 400m pic podium,” Samba said. the second highest jump in Country G S B T hurdles world bronze medal- Mohamed Essa al-Fadalah, history of 2.43m, a mere two Japan 13 4 5 22 list Abderrahman Samba. Assistant Secretary General centimetres short of Cuban 12 6 9 27 The team also includes Femi of Qatar Athletics Federation Javier Sotomayor. Barshim, United States 11 11 9 31 Ogunode, Ashraf El Saifi, confirmed that the training who is London 2012 Olympic Abubaker Hayder, Musab camp in Takasaki has kept bronze medallist and Rio Russian OC 7 10 6 23 Adam, Abdulrhaman Saieed the athletes in good shape. 2016 Olympic silver medal- Australia 6 1 9 16 and Bashayer al-Mnawari. “Despite the tough restric- list, will return to his third Great Britain 5 6 5 16 Samba will head to the tions being imposed due to in Tokyo South Korea 4 2 5 11 Japanese capital alongside the pandemic to keep the 2020 looking for the top 3 2 5 10 a handful of arch-rivals. But athletes safe and protected, Olympic glory. Samba too Qatar’s Cherif Younousse (left) and Ahmed Tijan celebrate after their win in Tokyo yesterday. (Reuters) the 25-year-old, however, is our athletes are fully satis- will be in action tomorrow 3 2 3 8 confident of a podium finish. fied with the outcome they (5:25am Qatar time). Netherlands 2 6 3 11 By Sports Reporter points and won the set in overtime. With the mo- Canada 2 3 4 9 Doha mentum on their side, the Qatari pair was in full Hungary 2 1 2 5 control in the second. They dominated from the Slovenia 2 1 1 4 start to win the set comfortably. “The match was ewly crowned World No 1 Qatar’s Cherif great! It was a little bit tough in the fi rst set and Kosovo 2 0 0 2 Younousse and Ahmed Tijan secured we almost lost it. But we kept on fi ghting, until we Italy 1 6 8 15 their spot in the knockout stages of the were able to take over. The second set was normal Switzerland 1 3 2 6 men’s Olympic beach volleyball by reg- and we won it comfortably,” Tijan said. “Now we Taiwan 1 2 3 6 isteringN a second successive win yesterday. will focus on fi nishing at the top of the pool and Brazil 1 2 2 5 The Qatar team lived up to their top billing to then the real fi ght starts,” said Younousse. To fi n- score an emphatic 2-0 (24-22, 21-13) win over ish on top of the pool, the World No 1 Qatari pair Georgia 1 2 0 3 Italy’s Adrian Carambula and Enrico Rossi in the face of USA’s Jake Gibb and Tri Bourne tomorrow 1 2 0 3 Pool C match at the Shiokaze Park yesterday. Earlier in the day, the Americans claimed a Serbia 1 1 2 4 Younousse and Tijan began their Tokyo cam- hard-fought 2-0 (21-19, 23-21) victory over Swit- Austria 1 1 1 3 paign on high note on Sunday with a 21-17, 21-16 zerland’s Adrian Heidrich and Mirco Gerson. Hong Kong 1 1 0 2 victory over Adrian Heidrich and Mirco Gerson of Meanwhile, Qatar’s Mohamed al-Rumaihi Switzerland. The new FIVB Ranking leaders were fi nished the fi rst day of the men’s trap shooting Tunisia 1 1 0 2 trailing Carambula and Rossi for the better part of qualifying rounds in the 16th place with a score of Croatia 1 0 1 2 the fi rst set. However, with the help of some acro- 72. The top six qualify for the fi nal. The last two Qatar’s athletics contingent pose after arriving at the Olympic Village in Tokyo yesterday. Estonia 1 0 1 2 batic returns Qatar team managed to save four set qualifying rounds and the fi nal will be held today. Uzbekistan 1 0 1 2 Bermuda 1 0 0 1 Ecuador 1 0 0 1 HORSE RACING Fiji 1 0 0 1 Iran 1 0 0 1 Latvia 1 0 0 1 Norway 1 0 0 1 Philippines 1 0 0 1 Thailand 1 0 0 1 Lady Princess wins Qatar New Zealand 0 2 1 3 Spain 0 2 1 3 South Africa 0 2 0 2 Indonesia 0 1 2 3 Mongolia 0 1 2 3 International Stakes Belgium 0 1 1 2 Czech Republic 0 1 1 2 Bulgaria 0 1 0 1 Al Shaqab Racing’s Armor takes Group 3 Markel Molecomb Stakes in Goodwood Colombia 0 1 0 1 Denmark 0 1 0 1 Agencies Goodwood, India 0 1 0 1 Jordan 0 1 0 1 North Macedonia 0 1 0 1 he second day of the QREC- sponsored Qatar Goodwood Poland 0 1 0 1 Festival featured a massive Turkmenistan 0 1 0 1 Qatari victory when Kha- Venezuela 0 1 0 1 lifaT bin Sheail al-Kuwari-owned Lady Kazakhstan 0 0 3 3 Princess took her Group 1 PA tally to 0 0 3 3 four with a win in the Qatar Interna- Egypt 0 0 2 2 tional Stakes yesterday. QREC Board Member and Al Mexico 0 0 2 2 Shaqab Executive Director Khalifa bin QREC vice-chairman Hamad bin Turkey 0 0 2 2 Mohamed al-Attiyah presented the Abdulrahman al-Attiyah presented Argentina 0 0 1 1 trophies to the winners after the race. the trophies to the winners of Qatar Cuba 0 0 1 1 Trained in France by Thomas Four- Sussex Stakes (Group 1) after Alcohol Ireland 0 0 1 1 cy and ridden to success by Oisin Free won the race yesterday. Murphy, it was Lady Princess’ fi rst Israel 0 0 1 1 start in Britain and was able to retain also produced Group 1 PA winner and Ivory Coast 0 0 1 1 the title for Qatari owners for the stallion Mister Ginoux, an Al Shaqab Ryan Moore rides Armor to victory in Kuwait 0 0 1 1 third straight year as Ebraz had won Oisin Murphy rides Lady Princess to Qatar International Stakes (Group 1 PA) Purebred Arabian sire. the Markel Molecomb Stakes at Qatar the event in 2019 and 2020. victory at Qatar Goodwood Festival yesterday. PICTURES: Toby Adamson, Goodwood Festival yesterday. Held up towards the rear in the ear- Dominic James and Racingfotos ARMOR TAKES GROUP 3 ly stages of the 1,600m contest, Lady MOLECOMB IN FINE STYLE QATAR IN Princess travelled well in the hands habb) with a devastating turn of foot “We will have a look at taking in the The two-year-old colt Armor stormed the Jeff Smith-owned Alcohol Free of Murphy and had fellow Group 1 PA and went on to score by three lengths Qatar Arabian World Cup before go- clear to win the Group 3 Markel Mole- stormed clear to take the Qatar Sussex winner Ebraz for company. The two from Ebraz, who battled on gamely ing off to run in Saudi Arabia and then comb Stakes for his owners Al Shaqab Stakes (Group 1). ACTION TODAY remained towards the rear as the lead- to claim second. Tayf, who is also hopefully Qatar for the His Highness Racing in the third race in the card at Having celebrated Group 1 success Shooting: Trap qualification Day 2: ers set a decent pace throughout the trained by Fourcy, ran on well to take The Amir Sword. As for Tayf, I would the Qatar Goodwood Festival. in both the Cheveley Park and the Mohamed al-Rumaihi at 3.50am opening furlongs of the race. On the third late on. have preferred if he had a clearer run The colt is trained by Richard Han- Coronation Stakes, the three-year- downhill run for home, Lady Princess “Lady Princess was well tucked in in the straight. He was in great con- non and was partnered to victory old is trained by Andrew Balding and took closer order and looked menac- behind Deryan by Oisin Murphy and dition coming into this and will go by jockey Ryan Moore. Armor won was ridden to success by Murphy. ing on entering the home straight. when he pulled her out for a chal- straight to the Qatar Arabian World impressively by three lengths and a Alcohol Free duelled out the fi nish With the early leaders tiring, Ebraz lenge, she did it extremely easily. She Cup, like last year.” quarter. Race favourite Feraby fi n- with Irish raider and favourite Poetic began to make a move through the is getting more mature and is cer- Bred by Earl du Champ Ginioux and ished second, while Boonie battled on Flare. Inside the fi nal furlong Alcohol middle of the pack whilst Murphy tainly not as free as before, even if she Elodie Bellaud, Lady Princess is by gamely to take third. Free began to get the upper hand and sat patiently on Lady Princess. Just can get a bit excited in the stalls. She multiple Group 1 PA winner and sire pulled away to a two-length success. outside the furlong marker, Lady has lots of character but that’s what General, who stands under the Umm ALCOHOL FREE CLAIMS THIRD Poetic Flare took second with the ex- Princess was angled out for a run and makes her so good,” Fourcy said after Qarn banner. She is out of the Group GROUP 1 WITH SUSSEX SUCCESS ceptionally well-bred Snow Lantern closed down the fading Deryan (Ma- the win. 3 PA winner Nacre Al Maury, who Relishing the soft ground conditions, (Frankel) staying on well for third. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, July 29, 2021

ATHLETICS Barshim among fi ve stars to watch out for

AFP pionships and Olympics double and Tokyo setting a world record to boot. “Yuli- mar Rojas is brave, joyful, and a com- mitted person,” she said. arl Lewis, Usain Bolt and Cathy “I’m always giving my best. And, Freeman transformed their above all, I’m a warrior.” lives with iconic perform- Rojas is an unashamed fan of super- ances at the Olympic Games. hero comic characters, saying “I’m a bit Here,C AFP picks out fi ve athletes hop- like a child”, with Batman and Wonder ing to enjoy a similar experience when Woman her pick of the pack. “I hope the track and fi eld events get under way to be considered a superhero in my tomorrow. country and in the world,” she said.

MUTAZ ESSA BARSHIM (QAT) GABBY THOMAS (USA) Karsten Warholm and Rai Benjamin’s The 24-year-old Harvard graduate clash in the 2019 World Championships is bidding to emulate another illus- in Doha may have been the highlight of trious alumna from the Ivy League the track, but it was Barshim’s title- university, Thomas Burke, in winning winning performance in the high jump Olympic gold on the track. Burke did that fi nally brought a semblance of an the 100 metres/400m double in the atmosphere to the stadium. 1896 Games, while Thomas could also The 30-year-old retained his title strike gold twice in the 4x100 metres — despite spending almost a year out relay and the 200m. due to a fractured ankle — but it is the what is to is to de- Thomas had a tumour in her liver Olympic gold he craves and if success- come in the 2019 prive Hassan diagnosed shortly before the US tri- ful will bring him a full house of medals world fi nal in Doha. There of the title and also reverse als which fortunately turned out to be having taken bronze in 2012 and silver Warholm edged Benjamin the placings from the 2019 benign. Now studying a masters at the in 2016. Barshim already has experience to retain his title, but an in- world championships. University of Texas, Thomas blitzed of the Tokyo Olympic Stadium, fi nish- dication of how hard he had the opposition at the US trials, post- ing joint fi rst at a test event in May. to push himself came when he YULIMAR ROJAS (VEN) ing a time of 21.61 seconds to become “The pressure to win a medal will said: “I thought I was going to Rojas has brought joy to her the second fastest woman in the event’s never be greater than what I felt when I die.” troubled nation with back-to- history behind the late Florence Griffi th had suff ered an injury which could have The Norwegian arrives as the world back world triple jump titles. Her Joyner. ended my career,” he said last year. record holder having timed 46.70sec to first gold was a historic moment for “I think the standard for myself is a break Kevin Young’s 29-year-old mark of the women’s duel of the athletics record Hassan set just two days earlier the South American country who had lot higher... I just want more for myself KARSTEN WARHOLM (NOR) — four years before Warholm was born in the 10,000 metres with her former on the same Hengelo track. never had a world athletics champion now,” she said. “Now, I’m going to have The engaging Norwegian’s clash with — in front of his home fans on July 1. “It compatriot, Sifan Hassan of the Neth- In doing so, Gidey became the first and the 25-year-old also became the to start thinking about diff erent goals, the equally charismatic American Ben- might take another world record to win erlands. Hassan will be bidding for female athlete to be the world record first Venezuelan athlete to medal at diff erent visions. Because this was my jamin could be the most spectacular the Olympics,” said Warholm. an extraordinary treble of 1,500m, holder in both the 5,000 and 10,000m the Olympics with silver in Rio five dream — my dream was to make the Ol- race of the Games if both get through 5,000m and 10,000m and a measure since Norwegian legend Ingrid Kris- years ago. ympic team, not to win Olympic trials, to the fi nal. Warholm and Benjamin, at LETESENBET GIDEY (ETH) of revenge on her rival, who sent out a tiansen. “I’d like to try to break the Rojas — one of seven children brought not even to break the meet record. Now 23 two years younger than the Norwe- Gidey, one of four children brought up warning by timing 29min 01.03sec on world record again and break 29 min- up on a small farm — is setting her that I’ve accomplished those, I’m going gian, provided a foretaste of potentially on a farm in Tigray, is likely to be part June 8, smashing the 10,000m world utes,” said Gidey. She may need to if she sights on completing a world cham- to set higher goals.”

SWIMMING Momota crashes out aft er moment of ‘weakness’ Japanese world badminton number one Kento Momota blamed his own “weakness” as he crashed out of the Tokyo Olympics Exhausted Titmus seizes in the first round yesterday. Un- seeded South Korean Heo Kwang- hee beat Momota 21-15, 21-19 to end his gold-medal bid after just two games, a day after Japanese tennis superstar Naomi Osaka also made an early exit. Momota won a record 11 titles in Ledecky’s 200m crown 2019 to cement his place as the undisputed best badminton player in the world. But he was almost ‘Obviously having a great swim in the 400 gave me confidence coming into the 200’ forced to retire last year after a car crash that left him with career- AFP in the fi rst women’s 1500m freestyle threatening injuries, and he admit- Tokyo at an Olympics as Ledecky clocked ted his killer instinct of old had not 15mins 37.34secs, ahead of teammate yet returned. Erica Sullivan (15:41.41) and Germa- “Previously, when a game went like riarne Titmus admitted she ny’s Sarah Kohler (15:42.91). this, I would be able to recover and was exhausted, but excited, Ledecky was visibly emotional at think clearly,” said a visibly stunned after winning gold to de- the end as she embraced Sullivan over Momota. “I would have been able throne American great Katie the rope before screaming towards her to pull through. But I couldn’t LedeckyA in the Olympic 200m free- American support in the stands. She recover tonight, and that’s down to style fi nal yesterday, having already was on the brink of tears as she left the my weakness.” taken her 400m crown. The Austral- pool. Momota fractured his ian touched in a new Olympic record Meanwhile, Japan’s Yui Ohashi won eye socket in the ac- time of 1min 53.50sec, with a sluggish her second gold medal in Tokyo while cident in January last Ledecky relegated to fi fth. Britain picked up their third swim- year which killed the Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey ming gold with an impressive victory driver of the vehicle took the silver (1:53.92), with Canada’s in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay taking him to the airport Penny Oleksiak third (1:54.70). Titmus on a thrilling day of action in the pool. after winning the Malaysia Masters. toppled Ledecky as the 400m cham- World record holder Kristof Milak of He suff ered double vision and pion on Monday and again proved too Hungary powered to the men’s but- needed surgery on a bone near good over the shorter distance, power- terfl y 200m gold, despite being forced his eye that delayed his comeback, ing through the fi eld to win after turn- into a last-minute change of swim- leaving him fearing his career was ing at 150m in third. ming trunks. over. He returned to make his Ol- She still has the 800m freestyle and Ohashi, who won the women’s ympic debut in Tokyo — five years the 4x200m relay to go at the Tokyo 400m medley on Sunday, produced after being banned from the 2016 Aquatics Centre in a gruelling pro- her own double with victory the 200m Rio Games for illegal gambling. But gramme. “Bloody exhausted, that was medley ahead of Americans Alex his confidence deserted him when a tough one,” said Titmus. “Honestly, Walsh and Kate Douglass. Walsh lead Heo began to gain a foothold in it’s not the time that I thought I could at the 150m mark but Ohashi pipped the first game, and he was unable do this morning but it’s the Olympics her over the fi nal, freestyle leg, of the to reassert control. “I was 10-5 up and there’s a lot of other things going race to delight her Japanese team mates in the first game, I wasn’t moving on. So it’s just about winning here and in the spectator-free arena. badly and I had an attacking image I’m very happy.” After individual golds for Adam in my mind,” said Momota. “But Her coach Dean Boxall, Peaty and Tom Dean, Britain’s success then I lost a few points in a row and whose wild celebrations in the pool continued with the quar- my opponent beat me to 11, which after her 400m win went tet of Dean, Duncan Scott, James Guy aff ected me mentally and I didn’t viral, celebrated in more and Matthew Richards coming within recover. I came up short.” muted fashion yesterday. touching distance of a world record in Momota admitted making his The Australian clocked the the relay. Olympic debut had overwhelmed second-fastest 200m in history last It is the fi rst time since 1908 that him. “It’s really diff icult to go about month (1:53.09) to signal her inten- Britain have won three swimming things the way you usually do tions, ranking only behind Federica golds at one Games. The British team when you’re playing on this stage,” Pellegrini’s super-suited world record won in six minutes, 58.58 — just three he said. “A lot of things happened, of 1:52.98 from 2009. Pellegrini fi n- hundredths shy of the world record but thanks to the eff orts of many ished seventh yesterday. “Obviously set by the United States in 2009. They people I got to feel the tension and having a great swim in the 400 gave me fi nished 3.23 seconds clear of the Rus- experience what it’s like to play at confi dence coming into the 200,” said sian team while Australia claimed the an Olympics. I really appreciate Titmus, who was in tears after receiv- bronze. The United States fi nished that.” ing her medal. fourth, the fi rst time they have not Momota smiled incredulously as Ledecky shrugged off disappoint- medalled in this event, aside from the his shots failed to find their range ment in the 200m freestyle by winning boycotted Moscow Olympics. early in the game, but looked the gruelling 1500m just 75 minutes Hungarian Milak lived up to his ashen-faced when it became clear later, as the American fi nally claimed billing as the heavy favourite in the that he was in serious danger. He gold in Tokyo. “I defi nitely wanted to butterfl y ahead of Japan’s Tomoru then sealed his own fate when get at least one gold here so I can fi nally Honda with Italy’s Federico Burd- he hit the net to end the match. “I check that box,” said Ledecky. isso taking bronze. His time of 1:51.25 think I wanted to win too much,” After being pipped by Titmus to gold was an Olympic record, surpassing he said. “Rather than him being in the 400m free on Monday, Ledecky Michael Phelps’ mark from an event able to read me, I didn’t have any was always second-favourite to the he once dominated. Phelps had set the margin for error and I started to Australian in the shorter 200m. But previous Olympic record of 1:52.03 in play within myself.” Ledecky failed even to make the podi- Beijing. Milak’s world record of 1:50.73 Momota’s early exit follows similar um, a fi fth-place fi nish her worst in an came at the world championships in upsets for high-profile Japanese Olympic fi nal, and she admitted it was Gwangju in 2019. athletes, including tennis player diffi cult to recover. Osaka and gymnast Kohei Uch- “It was hard. I thought the better my imura. Badminton number two 200 was, the better my mile was going Australia’s Ariarne Titmus (right) seed Chou Tien-Chen also suff ered to be, just from the adrenaline that I reacts next to USA’s Kathleen Ledecky a fright yesterday, but saw off got from that,” said Ledecky. helped me try to use it to my advantage. stressed about getting the warm-down get my mind right’. I felt I was able to do after winning the final of the women’s 19-year-old Canadian Brian Yang “Things didn’t work out super-well We were hoping I would have an award so we just said, ‘Hey we have a good that and still felt confi dent going into 200m freestyle during the Tokyo 21-18, 16-21, 22-20. there but my coach Greg (Meehan) just ceremony to go to and we would be chunk of 45 minutes to swim down and the mile.” It was an American one-two Games yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Thursday, July 29, 2021 3

TENNIS FOOTBALL Richarlison fi res Brazil into quarters, Djokovic rolls as Germany out

AFP six members of the team that Tokyo reached the Euro 2020 semi-fi - nals. But they scored only twice in the group stage, with a 1-1 Medvedev suff ers icharlison continued draw against Argentina enough his fi ne form at the Ol- to edge them through. ympics with a double Real Sociedad midfi elder as Brazil eased into the Mikel Merino put Spain in front quarter-fiR nals after a 3-1 win over in the 66th minute. Tomas Bel- Saudi Arabia yesterday, as Ger- monte netted a late equaliser for many exited the men’s tourna- Argentina but the point sealed ment and hosts Japan progressed 1992 champions Spain fi rst place in extreme heat with a thrashing of France. in Group C. Egypt set up a dream Reigning champions Brazil, clash with Brazil by seeing off who won gold for the fi rst time Australia 2-0 with goals from ‘The sun was pretty hot. At the end of the second set I just had darkness in my eyes. I was on home soil in Rio de Janeiro fi ve Ahmed Yasser Rayan and Ammar years ago, fi nished top of Group Hamdy. France had given them- bending over, and I couldn’t get my breathing together. I was ready to just fall down on the court’ D and will face Egypt in the last selves hope of progressing from eight on Saturday. Matheus Cun- Group A when Andre-Pierre AFP ha put them ahead in Saitama Gignac scored a hat-trick in a Tokyo yesterday, but Abdulelah al-Am- 4-3 win over South Africa. But ri’s goal brought the Saudis level they crashed out as their defence before the half-hour mark. proved fragile again in a 4-0 ovak Djokovic set up a A draw would have been loss to Japan. quarter-fi nal with Ja- enough for Brazil to go The home side, who pan’s Kei Nishikori at through as group winners, reached the semi-fi nals in the Tokyo Olympics but Richarlison netted in London in 2012, made it three Nyesterday as gold medal rival the 76th minute and again in wins from three and booked a Daniil Medvedev struggled with injury time. The Everton forward match against New Zealand. Real the heat, even asking the chair is now the leading scorer in the Madrid youngster umpire who would be responsi- tournament with fi ve goals after netted for the third straight match ble if he died. his hat-trick against Germany. before former Marseille defender World number one Djokovic The Germans, runners-up to ’s tap-in doubled the continued his bid for a calen- Brazil in 2016, bowed out after lead. Substitutes and dar Golden Slam by defeating a 1-1 draw with the Ivory Coast. Daizen Maeda added to France’s 34th-ranked Alejandro Davi- Germany had to win to progress, blushes as youngster Randal Kolo dovich Fokina of Spain 6-3, 6-1 but Benjamin Henrichs’ own goal Muani was sent off on a miserable to extend his winning run to midway through the second half evening for Les Bleus. 21 matches. Djokovic then re- proved costly. Eduard Lowen’s South Africa’s slim hopes of turned to court a couple hours equaliser shortly afterwards set up reaching the quarters were ended later to partner Nina Stojanovic a tense fi nale, but the Ivorians held by a 3-0 loss to Mexico in a game in the mixed doubles. on to seal second spot in the group which ended with both teams a The Serbian duo won their and a quarter-fi nal against Spain. man down. The Mexicans will opening match 6-3, 6-4 against The Spaniards are one of the take on South Korea on Saturday, Brazil’s Marcelo Melo and Luisa gold medal favourites after nam- in the same half of the draw as Stefani. ing a strong squad featuring Brazil and Egypt. After lobbying organisers to push back the 11am start time to avoid the worst of the punishing heat and humidity, Djokovic said he was pleased today’s matches would begin at 3pm. “I think it’s great. In my opin- ion it should have been done a few days earlier, but it is what is and I think it’s better than start- ing at 11,” said Djokovic. “The combination between the high humidity and high heat... I’ve played tennis now professionally for 20 years and ’s Daniil Medvedev is assisted by a physio during Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games men’s singles third round match against Italy’s Fabio I’ve never faced these kind of Fognini at the Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo yesterday. (AFP) conditions in my entire life on a consecutive, daily basis.” timeout and received two visits third sets, Medvedev broke stant, but nothing serious, ma- big, even bigger than a Grand Brazil’s Richarlison (centre) scores against Saudi Arabia in their Medvedev stayed on course to from the trainer. Asked by the Fognini and won the fi rst three jor,” said Tsitsipas. Nishikori, Slam.” Group D match at the Saitama Stadium yesterday. (Reuters) meet Djokovic in the men’s fi nal umpire if he was OK during the games of the decider. He saved the 2016 bronze medallist, beat The fourth seed will play as the Russian second seed over- second set, the Russian replied: three break points at 4-2 be- Ilya Ivashka of 7-6 (9/7), Marketa Vondrousova, the con- came Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-2, “I can fi nish the match, but I can fore clinching victory, going 6-0, while fourth seed Alexan- queror of home favourite Naomi 3-6, 6-2. die. If I die, are you going to be through to a last-eight clash der Zverev and Frenchman Jer- Osaka, for a place in the fi nal GOLF But the two-time Grand Slam responsible? I think it was with Spain’s Pablo Carreno emy Chardy also progressed. in Tokyo. Spain’s Paula Badosa runner-up again found the tem- the most humid day we had Busta. Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, the retired due to heatstroke after peratures testing as the extreme so far, maybe the hottest,” Stefanos Tsitsipas highest-ranked player left in losing the fi rst set 6-3 to Von- McIlroy likes Olympic weather policy was implement- added Medvedev. bowed out after the Greek the women’s draw, reached the drousova, leaving the court in a ed, with the heat index topping “The sun was pretty hot. At third seed lost 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), semi-fi nals with a 6-4, 6-4 win wheelchair. out at 37 degrees Celsius (99 de- the end of the second set I just 6-2 to Frenchman Ugo Hum- over Camila Giorgi of Italy. Swiss ninth seed Belinda Ben- course aft er late grees Fahrenheit). had darkness in my eyes. I was bert. Tsitsipas required a medi- “You know when you are cic beat French Open runner-up “Even from the fi rst set I bending over, and I couldn’t get cal timeout for an injury to his higher ranked everyone wants Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in didn’t feel good enough with my breathing together. I was right leg at the end of the second to beat you and everyone is ex- three sets. She will play Kaza- Tokyo touch down my breathing. I felt like my ready to just fall down on the set as Humbert advanced to face tremely motivated to beat you,” khstan’s Elena Rybakina, who diaphragm was blocked, I court.” Russia’s Karen Khachanov. said Svitolina. dumped out two-time Grand AFP 11am yesterday,” McIlroy said. couldn’t breathe properly,” said Following a 10-minute in- “It’s fi ne, it was nothing. It “The Olympics is a very spe- Slam winner Garbine Muguruza Tokyo “I got through the airport Medvedev, who took a medical terval between the second and was pretty painful at the in- cial event. In Ukraine, it’s very 7-5, 6-1. pretty quickly, which is nice. I got to the hotel, did a workout, ory McIlroy left it late met the guys for dinner and had a to arrive for the Tokyo good night’s sleep. And then I’ve CRICKET Olympics golf tourna- had a good day today of prac- ment, but the four- tice. It’s sort of nice it’s got that timeR major winner said he liked World Golf Championships feel Lanka level Covid-hit series with two balls to spare the Kasumigaseki Country Club where there’s a limited fi eld and course after his fi rst look yester- no cut,” added the world number AFP playing his fi rst T20 on what day. 13. “It’s just a nice feel, so I’m Colombo Sri Lanka’s Dhananjaya de Silva (right) seemed a sluggish pitch. McIlroy only touched down just going to come out tomorrow and Chamika Karunaratne celebrate aft er But Wanindu Hasaranga from the US on Tuesday and and play.” Sri Lanka won the second T20I against bowled the left-handed will tee off at 10:25am local time The only downside, said McIl- isciplined bowling India in Colombo yesterday. (AFP) Padikkal in the 16th over with today, representing Ireland in roy, is the lack of spectators at and Dhanajaya de his leg-spin as India found it a mouth-watering grouping Tokyo 2020 because of corona- Silva’s unbeaten 40 tough to push the run rate. alongside newly-crowned Brit- virus restrictions, especially the helped Sri Lanka to Wicketkeeper-batsman San- ish Open champion Collin Mori- packed golf-mad home galler- aD series-levelling four-wicket ju Samson and debutant Nitish kawa and South Korea’s Im ies that would have followed win over India in the Covid-19 Rana also failed to boost India’s Sung-jae. Japan’s Masters champion delayed second Twenty20 in- total as they fell to Dananjaya “It’s really just a fun golf Hideki Matsuyama’s every ternational yesterday. Chasing and pace bowler Dushmantha course,” said McIlroy after move. 133 for victory, Sri Lanka de- Chameera respectively. his only chance to practise McIlroy witnessed it fi rst- pended on an unbeaten 28-run “I thought if we could contain on the 7,447-yard par-71 layout, hand two years ago at the Zozo seventh-wicket partnership them to a low total, we could where a fi eld of 60 will battle for Championship, where he fi n- between De Silva and Chamika chase it,” said skipper Dasun the medals over four stroke play ished behind Matsuyama and Karunaratne, who made 12, to Shanaka. Avishka Fernando was rounds. “It’s in great shape, it’s winner Tiger Woods in third. achieve their target with two out early for 11 off pace bowler immaculate. It’s going to be a “When Hideki won the Masters, balls to spare in Colombo. Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the really nice week. There’s plenty the fi rst thing I thought of was De Silva kept his nerve in the Sri Lankan chase, but Minod of opportunities out there for how good the atmosphere is go- 34-ball knock after Sri Lanka Bhanuka hit a brisk 36. birdies, but then if you don’t hit ing to be at the Olympics,” said were in trouble at 105-6 and Spinners Kuldeep Yadav and the fairways the rough is pretty McIlroy. along with Karunaratne, who Varun Chakravarthy hurt the penal.” “Unfortunately that’s not the hit a timely six in the penulti- middle-order with key strikes McIlroy will be representing case. So yeah, it’s tough. It’s not mate over, helped the hosts level including Shanaka for three be- Ireland with 2019 British Open the Olympic experience that the three-match series at 1-1. wrist spin, returned fi gures of bowled for 40. The left-handed Ruturaj Gaikwad (21) and car- fore De Silva hit back and com- champion Shane Lowry, mean- anyone dreams of having. But “I always thought and knew 2-29 including the key wicket Dhawan put on a brisk 49-run ried on in the same vein with pleted the win. “I am very proud ing they are the most decorated there’s three medals up for grabs it was about one big over. I de- of skipper Shikhar Dhawan, opening stand with debutant Devdutt Padikkal (29), also of the boys because we gave a team in the event, with fi ve ma- and we’re all here trying to play cided to bat till the end. We held very good fi ght,” Dawan said jors between them. The four- for those.” our nerves today,” said man of Pollard shines before West Indies-Pakistan T20 abandoned of his young team. “That never man USA team of Collin Mori- Golf only returned to the Ol- the match De Silva. “It is always dying attitude and taking the kawa, Justin Thomas, Xander ympics in 2016 after more than tough against India.” Persistent rainfall forced the abandonment of two overs. However the rains returned just as the game to the last over while de- Schauff ele and Patrick Reed can a century’s absence, so McIl- Sri Lankan bowlers led by the first T20 International of a four-match series home side’s innings was coming to an end and fending just 132, hats off to both boast only four. roy admitted that he had never Akila Dananjaya kept India between the West Indies and Pakistan as a no- after some deliberation the umpires announced bowlers and batters.” The British pair of Paul Ca- harboured Olympic dreams as down to 132-5 after the tour- result at Kensington Oval in Barbados yesterday. the abandonment of the match. With the series The third and deciding T20 is sey and Tommy Fleetwood have a youngster as the sport wasn’t ists fi elded four debutants fol- After steady rain delayed the start of play by already reduced from a five-match contest due to today at the same venue. been at the course since Satur- played at the Games. “I don’t lowing virus positive Krunal almost three hours and reduced the match to a Covid 19-enforced delay during the preceding day to prepare and acclimatise to know what it will mean to win a Pandya and eight of his close nine overs-per-side, West Indies totalled 85 for One-Day International series against Australia BRIEF SCORES the time zone shift, but McIlroy medal because I grew up dream- contacts forced to sit out, which five batting first. at the same venue, this latest setback leaves the Sri Lanka 133 for 6 (de Silva 40*, said he felt great despite his late ing of Claret Jugs and Green was postponed hours before the Captain Kieron Pollard top-scored with an un- series now as a best-of-three duel. The remaining Bhanuka 36, Yadav 2-30) beat arrival and long journey from Jackets,” admitted McIlroy. scheduled start on Tuesday. beaten 22 while seamer Hasan Ali led the bowling matches will be played at the Providence Stadium India 132 for 5 (Dhawan 40, Florida. “I left Palm Beach yes- “Maybe I can articulate it a little Dananjaya, who bowls a eff ort for the visitors with figures of two for 11 off in Guyana starting on Saturday. (AFP) Padikkal 29, Dananjaya 2-29) by terday morning at 6am (local better if I am in possession of one subtle mix of fi nger spin and four wickets. time), got in here, landed around on Sunday.” Thursday, July 29, 2021 GULF TIMES SPORT

FOOTBALL High-scoring Qatar face US for Gold Cup fi nal spot Agencies ready in the semi-fi nals. That gives you Austin, Texas a warning.” US midfi elder Cristian Roldan, who plays for Major League Soccer’s Seattle atar will face off against Unit- Sounders, knows Qatar will be tough to ed States of America at the crack but intends to live up to high ex- Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, pectations from within. “We have high tonight (2:30 am Qatar time) aspirations as a team,” Roldan said. forQ a place in the Concacaf Gold Cup fi - “Qatar is going to be really diffi cult. nal Both teams arrive at the semi-fi nal They play in a 5-3-2, they’re really dif- with an undefeated record. Each side fi cult to break down and they’re a tran- fi nished fi rst in its respective group sition team, so we have to be smart.” and have been assertive throughout the Meanwhile, defending champion group stage. Mexico will face Canada at Houston. After a draw in its opening match Eight-time champion Mexico defeated against Panama, tournament debutants the US 1-0 in the 2019 fi nal. Qatar is currently on a three-match The Canadians, who were edged 1-0 winning streak with victories over Gre- by the United States in the group stage, nada, Honduras, and El Salvador. The will try to become the fi rst nation to team’s off ence is averaging three goals score against El Tricolor. Canada beat a match and is the tournament leader Mexico 2-1 in the 2000 quarter-fi nals with 12 goals overall. in their only prior meeting in a knock- Qatar’s Almoez Ali is currently the out round matchup. competition’s top scorer with four Cyle Larin and Stephen Eustaquio goals while Abdulaziz Hatem and each have three goals to lead the Ca- Akram Afi f follow close with three and nadians into their fi rst semi-fi nal since two respectively. Homam Ahmed, Has- 2007, while Rogelio Funes Mori has san al-Haydos, and Mohamed Muntari three goals to pace Mexico. “We just each have one goal apiece. have to play our game and focus on Although Qatar has shined off en- ourselves, put in a good performance sively, it has had struggles defending Qatar players train in Austin yesterday, on the eve of their Concacaf Gold Cup semi-final against the United States. and try to set up in the best possible in the second half of games. The team way to win the game,” Canada winger has allowed fi ve goals, all of which have shaal Barsham to help get it past the US. win, and has nine total throughout the Gold Cup. The United States is a perfect out a doubt it’ll be diffi cult,” US coach Tajon Buchanan said. “To be here now been scored after the 50th minute. Qa- Barsham has posted four saves in the competition. Today will mark the fi rst 4-0-0 with victories over Haiti, Marti- Gregg Berhalter said. “Qatar has looked and in the semi-fi nal against a top side tar will depend on its goalkeeper Me- quarter-fi nal against El Salvador, a 3-2 meeting between the two teams at the nique, Canada, and Jamaica. “With- great in this tournament. They are al- like Mexico, it’s a lot to take in.”

GYMNASTICS Russia is lucky to have 10 athletes in Tokyo, says Coe

Tokyo: The head of World Athletics said yesterday that, rather than lamenting that only 10 Russians will be able to compete in the Tokyo Olympics, the Hashimoto takes King country should be grateful they have anyone here at all given their long his- tory of “obfuscation”. Ten athletes will compete under the banner of the Russian Olympic Com- mittee (ROC), without their flag or national anthem in case of a victory, in Kohei’s all-around crown keeping with all sports at the Games. The maximum of 10 applies to all ath- letics events this year. The 19-year-old edged out China’s Xiao with Russian world champion Nagornyy taking bronze It was decided by the sport’s governing Council, following the recommendation AFP successor — a case of the king is dead, of the Task Force overseeing Rus- Tokyo long live the king. Hashimoto had de- sia’s return to the sport following the fi ned his career objectives before the suspension of the country’s athletics postponed Games begun as capturing federation (RUSAF) after the exposure apanese teenager Daiki Hashi- all-around gold at the 2020, 2024 and of a widespread regime of doping and moto had no time for tears as 2028 Olympics. cover-ups. he became the youngest ever He achieved the fi rst of those three In the 2016 Rio Olympics, long jumper men’s all-around Olympic in some style, having led the list of Darya Klishina was the sole Russian gymnasticsJ champion with a superb 24 qualifi ers into the fi nal. With the representative, and that was only after fi nal horizontal bars routine at the fi rst six from qualifying drawn in one the Court of Arbitration for Sport lifted Tokyo Games yesterday. group all eyes were on Nagornyy in the a ban at the last minute. Athletics gets The nerveless 19-year-old edged opening fl oor exercise to see whether underway in Tokyo tomorrow and out China’s with Rus- he would perform his eponymous ele- among the Russian group are high sian world champion Nikita Nagornyy ment, a triple pike he debuted at the jumper Mariya Lasitskene, pole vaulter taking bronze, and kept dry-eyed on European Championships. Anzhelika Sidorova — both reigning the podium despite the enormity of The answer was no, the Russian world champions — sprint hurdler his accomplishment. “Had I cried, I world champion perhaps saving it for Sergey Shubenkov, world champion in thought it would have been as if I were the apparatus fi nal. Hashimoto led, 2015, and Klishina. feeling satisfi ed with where I am now. and after the pulled I thought the champion must not cry over half a point clear. But the next China win hat-trick but only look forward,” he said. routine, the , shook up the top of diving golds The boy from the Tokyo suburbs order, with Xiao edging compatriot succeeds his illustrious compatriot Sun Wei and Nagornyy nipping ahead China survived pressure from the Kohei Uchimura, the 2012 and 2016 of Hashimoto. United States to make it a hat-trick of all-around champion who chose not “For the rings, there was an ele- diving golds at the Tokyo Olympics and to go for a hat-trick after persistent ment that missed points. I became underline their supremacy in the sport. shoulder injuries. a bit fl ustered, but you never know Wang Zongyuan and Xie Siyi led from Placed third going into the fi nal ro- what will happen in a competition. So start to finish to win the men’s synchro- tation, the , Hashimoto I just put it behind me and focused on nised 3m springboard final with 467.82 seized his moment, putting in a near- Japan’s Daiki Hashimoto competes in the during the men’s all-around final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic what’s next,” the Russian said. points. Silver went to the Americans fl awless routine, dismounting with a Games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo yesterday. (AFP) The parallel bars were the competi- Andrew Capobianco and Michael Hixon clap of his hands that sent a cloud tors’ penultimate port of call, with (444.36 points) and Germany’s Patrick of white chalk into the air. a performance that leaves an to my parents. I want to get it around Biles, who earlier also withdrew Nagornyy posting the top score to go Hausding and Lars Rudiger won bronze Waiting for his score wearing impression in people’s mind their necks and thank them for sup- from today’s all-around fi nal, citing second from Hashimoto ahead of the (404.73 points). a broad smile and the Japanese without thinking about the porting me.” mental struggles, turned up with the concluding horizontal bar as less than There was disappointment for reigning fl ag over his shoulders, Hashi- colour of the medal. I wobbled After Japan took silver behind silver-medal winning US women’s half a point split the front three. champions Britain, who finished sec- moto rightly sensed he had done at the landing. So I am not sat- Nagornyy’s Russians in the team team to support their compatriots After Xiao and Nagornyy had done ond from last, while the Russians were enough. His 14.933 points lifted him isfi ed. But in that big moment, I was event on Monday, Hashimoto was and Brody Malone. their stuff the spotlight turned to looking good for bronze before a failed to a total of 88.465, just 0.4 clear of able to fi nish. So that was big.” determined to go one better at the While that duo fi nished out of the top Hashimoto, who ended with a dou- final dive left them bottom of the pile. Xiao on 88.065. He said with gold secured — the Ariake Gymnastics Centre which 24 10 Biles was treated to a tense battle ble-double layout dismount which It looked at one point as if Wang and “If I performed without making host nation’s 13th of the Games — he hours earlier had been the scene of that went all the way to the wire. drew appreciation from the sprin- Xie would run away with it, but a mistakes, I thought I would surely had one important task to perform. ’ dramatic withdrawal Kohei’s Olympic reign is over but in kling of supporters, and more impor- disappointing penultimate dive and win the gold medal. I wanted to show “First and foremost, I want to give it from the women’s team fi nal. Hashimoto he looks to have a worthy tantly, the judges. the Americans’ consistency meant that they were forced to hold their nerve in their last dive before striking gold. SPOTLIGHT Taiwan golfer enlists wife as caddie for Olympic bid Biles in second pull-out as mental struggles laid bare Taiwan golfer CT Pan has found an ingenious way around the “no-family” AFP ed as the ‘G.O.A.T’ (Greatest Of All miek van Vleuten won the women’s rule at spectator-free Tokyo 2020 — he Tokyo Time), arrived seeking fi ve Olympic cycling time trial, and Fiji retained employs his wife as his caddie. titles to equal Soviet gymnast Larisa their men’s rugby sevens title with a Pan, who has enjoyed one win on the Latynina’s career record of nine. typically free-fl owing 27-12 win over US PGA Tour in 2019, said his wife uperstar gymnast Simone But this week she complained she New Zealand. In men’s basketball, the Michelle Lin could be key to a podium Biles pulled out of a second had “the weight of the world on my United States bounced back to ham- finish when the men’s event starts at event to protect her mental shoulders” and withdrew after a sin- mer Iran 120-66 after they fell to a Kasumigaseki Country Club today. health yesterday, putting the gle, shaky in the team compe- strong French team for their fi rst Ol- “Since this is the biggest event in my spotlightS on athletes’ well-being at tition. Attention will now focus on ympic defeat in 17 years. life, and for the whole world, I needed a Tokyo Olympics held under strict whether she will compete in her four Shi Zhiyong won the men’s 73kg to bring out my best. She’s my best rules to prevent the spread of corona- remaining individual events. weightlifting with a world-record to- caddie,” said the 29-year-old Pan, who virus. Biles, who caused shockwaves Biles is not alone in suff ering men- tal of 364kg, giving China their fourth tied 30th in Rio de Janeiro five years with her withdrawal during the team tal problems, and several athletes gold of the competition. Japanese ago. “She wanted to be with me. Most event on Tuesday, also ditched the have complained of diffi culties during gymnast Daiki Hashimoto won the importantly, we’ve got a great record all-around, raising doubts about her coronavirus lockdowns. Australian coveted men’s all-around title at the together,” said Pan, who finished joint further participation in Tokyo. basketball star Liz Cambage was one age of 19, edging China’s Xiao Ruo- runner-up at the 2018 Wyndham Cham- The 24-year-old American’s strug- who skipped Tokyo fearing its “terri- teng with a superb fi nal horizontal bar pionship with Michelle on the bag. gles follow those of Japanese tennis fying” living conditions. routine. “She knows me very well, she’s caddied star Naomi Osaka, another face of the Yesterday, Dutch athletes in quar- But in a disappointment for the before and knows my bad habits. She Games who lost in the third round on antine in Tokyo after testing positive hosts, Japanese top seed Kento Mo- can say the right thing at the right time. her return from a mental health break. revealed they staged a sit-in strike mota fell at the fi rst hurdle in the She’ll help more on the mental side They overshadowed another busy over the harsh conditions, eventu- Simone Biles (left) of the US watches the men’s men’s singles badminton, losing in which I think will make me happy.” day at the delayed 2020 Games, where ally earning the concession of being individual final at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre yesterday. (Reuters) just 52 minutes to unseeded South The pair are staying with the Taiwan US swimming great Katie Ledecky able to stand at an open window for 15 Korean Heo Kwang-hee. The United team in the athletes’ Village and were bounced back from her second defeat minutes a day. fi ghter Reshmie Oogink called it “Ol- phone helplines. “That became more States made history as the fi rst 3x3 part of the celebrations on Tuesday by Australia’s Ariarne Titmus to win “Not having any outside air is so ympic jail”. International Olympic urgent obviously with the Covid pan- basketball Olympic champions when when Kuo Hsing-chun won the island’s her fi rst gold in Tokyo. inhuman, and it is mentally super- Committee spokesman Mark Adams demic, so we’ve been working on that their women beat the Russian Olym- first gold in women’s 59kg Biles, unbeaten in all-around com- draining,” said street skateboarder said support measures included psy- quite a lot,” he said. pic Committee 18-15. Latvia took the weightlifting. petition since 2013 and widely tout- Candy Jacobs, while taekwondo chologists in the Athletes’ Village and Elsewhere, Dutch rider Anne- men’s title.