Hero’s welcome for Bahrain’s record-breaking athletes

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s athletics delegation received a hero’s welcome on their return to the kingdom yesterday, following a historic showing at the sixth Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The team played a leading role in Bahrain’s best-ever performance at the multi-sport event, contributing heavily to the delegation’s record 34 medals. The achievement surpasses Bahrain’s previous best total of 23 medals from the 2021 Games in Konya, marking a new era of success for the kingdom on the international stage.

Among the standout stars were Edidiong Odiong and Nelly Jepkosgei, who each struck double gold in the Saudi capital. Odiong capped a brilliant campaign with victory in the women’s 200 metres, her second gold and third medal overall, while Jepkosgei completed her own golden double by adding the 1,500m crown to her earlier win in the 800m.

Bahrain’s medal surge on the penultimate day also featured strong silver-medal performances from Salwa Eid Naser in the women’s 200m, Birhanu Balew in the men’s 5,000m, and the mixed 4x400m relay team of Naser, Kemi Adekoya, Musa Isah, and Alaa Sami. Noora Jassim added a bronze in the women’s shot put to round out an impressive track and field showing.

Also returning home yesterday was Bahrain’s fencing delegation, including women’s foil silver-medallists Sumaya Albuainain, Ritej Araoud, and Mariam Khan, who were warmly welcomed for their superb campaign that featured a strong semi-final win over Indonesia before finishing runners-up to Oman in the final.