Bahrain signs off Sanya Games with grit, glow and a bronze
TDT | Manama
Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com
Bahrain’s campaign at the sixth Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, concluded yesterday as the Kingdom’s athletes and officials attended the closing ceremony after nine days of competition.
The Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani declared the Games closed as fireworks lit up the sky above Sanya Bay, marking the end of a multi-sport event that brought together more than 1,600 athletes from 45 OCA member countries. Competing across 14 sports, 15 disciplines and 62 events, the Games celebrated continental unity. In his closing remarks, Sheikh Joaan said: “Together, as one Asia, we have made history. United by our love of sport and a shared dream, we showed the very best of our continent.”
For Bahrain, the Games delivered moments of promise. Adam Alnasheet of the national beach handball team carried the national flag at the closing ceremony, symbolising a delegation that competed across multiple disciplines with steady commitment.
The standout result came in beach wrestling, where Shamil Sharipov secured Bahrain’s only medal. Competing in the men’s over-90kg category, he delivered a 2–0 victory over Kyrgyzstan’s Muzafar Alimovich Zhappuev to claim bronze, adding another achievement to his decorated career that already includes world and continental honours.
That result ultimately defined Bahrain’s standing, with the team finishing tied-26th overall.
There was near success in beach handball as well, where Bahrain narrowly missed out on a podium finish after a 0–2 defeat to Thailand in the bronze medal match. Despite taking an early lead and starting strongly, they were gradually edged out in a closely fought contest.
Elsewhere, Bahraini athletes competed in open water swimming and additional beach wrestling events, with several progressing into the later rounds, underlining a steady rise in performance across beach sports in Asia.
Officials from the Bahrain Olympic Committee remained present throughout the Games, supporting athletes on site. This steady backing helped the delegation conclude its Sanya campaign with a sense of progress, even if further medals remained out of reach.
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