Track Titans
Adekoya, Yavi, Balew and Odiong Fire Bahrain to Quadruple Athletics Gold
TDT | Manama
Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com
Bahrain enjoyed a golden evening on the track last night as Oluwakemi Adekoya, Winfred Yavi, Birhanu Balew, and Edidiong Odiong each stormed to victory. Adekoya claimed gold in the women’s 400m hurdles, Yavi dominated the 3000m steeplechase, Balew powered through to win the men’s 10,000m, and Odiong sprinted to triumph in the women’s 100m at Prince Faisal bin Fahad Stadium as the sixth Islamic Solidarity Games athletics programme built toward its climax.
Adekoya struck first, producing a masterclass in control and execution to win the 400m hurdles in 56.33. Ranked No. 17 in the world and one of Asia’s most decorated hurdlers, she ran with total authority: smooth over the early barriers, composed through the back straight, and extending her lead with every stride. By the final hurdle, the race belonged entirely to her. Her gold adds to an illustrious career that includes a World Indoor Championships title, six Asian Games crowns, an Asian Championships victory, and a World Championships top-eight finish. At 32, Adekoya continues to represent Bahrain with podium consistency.
Minutes later, Yavi, already an Olympic champion, world champion, Diamond League winner, and currently ranked No. 2 globally in the steeplechase, delivered an equally dominant performance. The 25-year-old surged to the front early and never relinquished control, storming to gold in 9:40.65 with a display that showed both her strength over the barriers and her ability to accelerate through the final laps. Turkey’s Tugba Guvenc Yenigun claimed silver in 9:57.05, while Morocco’s Ikram Ouaaziz secured bronze in 10:00.55. Uzbekistan’s Dilshoda Usmonova followed in fourth.
Closing the evening’s distance events, 29-year-old Birhanu Balew powered to gold in the men’s 10,000m, crossing the line in a photo-finish 29:06.58 ahead of Uganda’s Samuel Simba Cherop, who recorded the same time. Fellow Ugandan Abel Chebet claimed bronze in 29:07.63, while Bahrain’s Abdikani Hamid ran strongly to sixth in 29:17.35.
Finally, Edidiong Odiong delivered Bahrain’s fourth gold of the night with a commanding win in the women’s 100m, crossing the line in 11.17 to underline the Kingdom’s sprinting strength.
Adekoya’s, Yavi’s, and Balew’s victories marked one of Bahrain’s most dominant nights on the track, three golds delivered by world-class athletes performing at the peak of their powers. Their performances also bolster the Kingdom’s overall medal haul in Riyadh, where Bahrain has now amassed 10 medals—nine gold, four silver, and four bronze across multiple sports. With athletics and para athletics continuing to deliver major results, Bahrain’s momentum grows ever stronger as the Games move into their final days.
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