Equestrian Team Continues Individual Competitions; Swimming Events Begin Tomorrow
Al-Shamsi Wins Bronze in 800m Race at the Asian Youth Games
Oman’s national athletics team member, Al-Yazn Al-Shamsi, secured third place and claimed the bronze medal in the 800m race, finishing with a time of 1:58.79 minutes. Meanwhile, his teammate Raed Al-Balushi placed fifth in the 200m sprint with a time of 21.97 seconds.
In taekwondo, Moatasem Al-Maskari exited the competition after losing in the Round of 16 to Mongolia’s Timuulin Temulenmjargal by a score of 1–2, while Qaboos Al-Balushi suffered a defeat against Japan’s Notani Kouge in two straight rounds.
Equestrian Team Continues Their Pursuit
Oman’s equestrian team continues to compete with high hopes of achieving strong results in the individual events, as part of the 3rd Asian Youth Games hosted by the Kingdom of Bahrain from 22 to 31 October. The event brings together more than 5,000 athletes from 45 Asian National Olympic Committees, competing in 24 sports, 31 categories, and 253 events across several prominent venues, including Isa Sports City, Khalifa Sports City, Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre, Endurance Village, and Sama Bay.
Strong Finish for Al-Shamsi
Al-Shamsi’s bronze came after an intense three-way battle involving Saudi runners from the start of the race. Despite a slight slowdown at the 400m mark, he managed to secure third place, clocking 1:58.79 minutes, among eight finalists who qualified from the preliminary rounds.
Taekwondo Results
In the Round of 16, Moatasem Al-Maskari narrowly lost to Mongolia’s Timuulin Temulenmjargal (1–2). He had earlier advanced to this stage after a well-deserved victory against Afghanistan’s Abdul Basit Sofizada, winning 2–1 despite trailing 2–7 in the first round. Al-Maskari staged a comeback to tie 13–13 in the second round before clinching the decisive third round 12–0.
Meanwhile, Qaboos Al-Balushi sustained a nose injury early in his match against Japan’s Notani Kouge, which affected his performance. He lost the first round 3–5 and the second 2–10, ending the bout in straight rounds.
Swimming Events Begin
Oman’s swimmer Mohammed bin Khamis Al-Wahaibi will begin his campaign on Monday in the 50m freestyle heats at 11:00 a.m. (Muscat time). Should he qualify, he will compete in the finals at 8:30 p.m. On Tuesday, he will take part in the 100m freestyle at 11:00 a.m., and, if qualified, will swim the finals later that evening. He will also compete in the 50m backstroke at 11:20 a.m., with the final set for 8:50 p.m., before concluding his participation on Wednesday in the 100m backstroke event.
Encouragement from the Federation
His Excellency Sayyid Munther bin Saif bin Hamad Al-Busaidi, President of the Oman Equestrian Federation, met with the Omani riders during a dinner hosted by the Oman Olympic Committee in honor of the participating teams. He expressed pride in the young Omani riders’ participation, calling them a promising generation armed with determination and ambition. Al-Busaidi urged them to give their best performances, remain focused and confident, and affirmed that their participation itself is an achievement. He stressed that the federation’s continued support aims to ensure more future successes at regional and international levels.
A Beginning for Greater Achievements
Brigadier (Ret.) Saeed bin Mohammed Al-Hajri, Vice Head of the Omani delegation and President of the Oman Athletics Association, praised Al-Shamsi’s outstanding performance which earned him the 800m bronze medal. He said: “We are proud of this achievement that adds to Oman’s sporting record and proves that investing in youth is yielding results. Al-Shamsi is a model of dedication, discipline, and determination.”
He emphasized that this medal marks the beginning of a journey toward greater accomplishments on continental and global stages, expressing gratitude to the coaches, technical staff, and supporters. “This achievement is the result of the federation’s talent development programs and aligns with our vision to build a strong base of athletes capable of competing internationally.”
Al-Hajri extended appreciation to His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Youth, for his unwavering support, stating that Al-Shamsi is one of the success stories emerging from the athlete development centers established under the Ministry’s initiatives. He dedicated the medal to His Highness and called on both public and private sectors to continue supporting athletic development programs that ensure Omani athletes’ readiness for international competitions.
Challenge and Determination
Ali bin Abdullah Al-Marzouqi, Vice President of the Oman Athletics Association, said: “We thank God for Al-Shamsi’s remarkable performance in a challenging and competitive race. He showed great determination and managed to secure a place on the podium, which reflects the continuous progress of Omani athletics at the youth level.”
He added that this achievement is a testament to the federation’s efforts in discovering and nurturing young talents, creating a competitive training environment that helps athletes reach their best potential. He also extended his gratitude to the Kingdom of Bahrain for the excellent organization of the Games, and to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth for their constant support.
A Proud Moment for Oman
National coach Ahmed bin Khamis Al-Siyabi expressed his delight after Al-Shamsi’s bronze medal win, saying: “Thanks to God Almighty, the player managed to achieve this result after a tough race that required both skill and resilience. It reflects his hard work and our belief in his potential.”
He added that the result is the fruit of the player’s dedication and the federation’s continuous support, noting that it will serve as motivation for him and other athletes to strive for more. On why Al-Shamsi finished third despite strong preliminary times, Al-Siyabi explained: “The athlete has great potential. He could have placed higher, but the tactical decision after the first 400 meters affected his finish. He was slightly late in accelerating, which cost him a better position. However, given that this was his first major continental appearance, the experience will greatly benefit him.”
A Step Forward
Al-Shamsi himself expressed joy with his bronze medal win in the 800m race, saying: “Praise be to God, it could have been better, but I am grateful for this result. My ambition was gold, but the strong competition made me settle for bronze. Still, I consider this a significant step in my sporting journey and am proud to have raised Oman’s flag at this continental event.”
He dedicated the achievement to his beloved country Oman, the Oman Olympic Committee, the technical and administrative teams, and his family, promising to continue striving for excellence and future achievements. “I wish my fellow athletes all the best in their upcoming events,” he concluded.
