A reputation to honour

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain returns to the Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, with a 20-athlete delegation set to compete across four disciplines. The continental event makes its comeback after a decade-long absence.

Competition officially begins tomorrow, bringing together 45 Asian delegations and featuring 14 beach and water-based sports, including beach soccer, volleyball, jiu-jitsu, sailing, dragon boat racing, and aquathlon.

Bahrain will be represented in beach handball, 3x3 basketball, open water swimming, and beach wrestling, with competition spread across the full schedule.

Action for the Kingdom’s representatives starts immediately with beach handball on opening day, offering an early chance to make an impact on the medal table. The 3x3 basketball team follows on Saturday, before William Balzano and Robert Bonsall compete in open water swimming the following Sunday. The campaign concludes on April 28–29, when four athletes take part in beach wrestling.

The staggered programme allows each squad to focus on preparation and recovery while maintaining coordination across the wider delegation.

In the final build-up, Bahrain’s athletes completed training camps in China, splitting time between Sanya and Hangzhou depending on their discipline. The basketball team refined tactics and conditioning in Hangzhou, while the remaining athletes acclimatised in Sanya to coastal conditions and competition venues.

The Bahrain Olympic Committee oversaw logistics and planning throughout the preparation phase, with federation officials on site to monitor progress and support teams ahead of competition.

The 20-man squad brings experienced international competitors. The 3x3 basketball lineup features Bogdan Dragovic, Milos Supica, Nasser Al Mosawi, and Austin Ajukwa, under coach Ahmed Elias, reflecting Bahrain’s continued investment in the format.

In open water swimming, William Balzano and Robert Bonsall represent Bahrain in the endurance event, adding strength to the delegation.

Beach wrestling again looks like the Kingdom’s strongest medal hope, led by Shamil Sharipov in the 90kg category. A world bronze and Asian silver medallist, he is joined by Magomed Sharipov, Magomedrasul Asluev, and Alibeg Alibegov, all bringing international pedigree.

The beach handball team, coached by Hussain Al Qaidoum, faces a demanding schedule starting against hosts China on April 21 and running through April 27.

The Asian Beach Games return after a 10-year break, with the last edition held in 2016 in Da Nang, Vietnam. Bahrain has historically excelled at the event, winning 11 medals including seven golds. Its standout performance came at Phuket 2014, where it claimed five gold and two silver medals, followed by further success in Da Nang.

As competition begins, Bahrain arrives in Sanya aiming to build on that strong legacy and convert preparation into podium finishes.