Ghali takes strong second at swimming world championships

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahraini swimmer Saud Ghali took a solid second-place finish in his men’s 200 metres breaststroke heat yesterday at the 19th FINA World Championships 2022, being held in Budapest, Hungary.

Competing in the first of five races in the discipline’s first round, 17-year-old Ghali finished the race in two minutes 23.68 seconds. He had a reaction time of 0.66 seconds and was classified 01.86s behind winner Abdulaziz Al Obaidly of Qatar.

Jonathan Chung-Yee of Mauritius came third 02.54s behind Al Obaidly. Only 16 swimmers from all of yesterday’s 200m breaststroke heats made it through to the semi-finals. Zac Stubblety-Cook of Australia was the leading qualifier with a time of 2:09.09, while countryman Matthew Wilson was the last to advance in 2:11.89.

Ghali’s race yesterday was his second participation at the worlds. He previously also competed in the men’s 100m breaststroke, where he won his opening-round heat although also did not move on to the next stage. Bahrain’s participation at the global competition continues.

There are three other national team swimmers taking part, including Omar Al Rowaila, Noor Taha and Ayah Bin Rajab. The young nationals are being guided in Budapest by national team head coach Alex Karpalev.