Motosio’s Silver Launches Bahrain’s Athletics Campaign

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain opened their athletics campaign on a strong note last night at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh as Violah Motosio earned silver in the women’s 10,000 metres, clocking 32:13.59 to secure Bahrain’s 13th medal of the sixth Islamic Solidarity Games.

Motosio, who also won gold in the same event at the 2023 Islamic Solidarity Games in Hangzhou, China, added to the Kingdom’s established legacy in athletics, carried forward from their other successful outings, like the 2021 Games in Konya, Türkiye. The Kingdom now holds five golds, four silvers, and four bronzes in this year’s Games. Uganda’s Rabecca Chelengat dictated the pace from the midway point and held firm to win gold in 32:11.42, with Motosio shadowing her in the closing laps but unable to bridge the small gap. Djibouti’s Samiya Hassan Nour followed in 32:17.72, securing bronze with a personal-best performance.

The rest of the field spread out early as the pace intensified. Uganda’s Annet Chemengich Chelangat placed fourth in 32:51.33, while Bahrain collected another top-five finish through Ruth Jebet, who set a personal best of 33:10.63. Türkiye’s Bahar Yildirim finished sixth in 33:38.38, ahead of Kyrgyzstan’s Ainuska Kalil Kyzy, who closed in 34:17.61. Djibouti’s Habon Ahmed Djama did not finish.

With the opening races now complete, Bahrain turn their attention to a full slate of track and field events over the coming days, looking to build further on a medal run that continues to underline their consistency on the regional athletics stage.