Aichi, Set, Go!

Bahrain launch packed six-sport programme as medal hunt begins

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s campaign at the 20th Asian Games moves into full swing today, with the kingdom’s representatives competing across six sports in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Triathlete Omar Ali provides the first medal opportunity when he lines up alongside 32 rivals in the men’s individual final at 2.30am at Gamagori City Triathlon Venue.

Less than two hours later, the nationals begin their mixed martial arts campaign at Nagoya City Inae Sports Center. Mohamed Alsameea enters the arena at 4am, followed by Dkurban Idrisov at 5am, Mukhammad Nabiev at 6am and Kurban Idrisov at 6.30am.

Five Bahrainis will contest individual swimming events during the morning programme at Toyota Aquatic Center, with the women’s relay team also in action. Sana Lefalher opens their challenge in the women’s 1,500 metres freestyle timed final at 4.24am.

Stepan Goncharov and Abdulla Jamal contest the men’s 100m freestyle heats at 4.44am, before Noor Taha enters the women’s 50m breaststroke heats at 4.59am. Goncharov returns alongside Ahmed Helal for the men’s 100m backstroke heats at 5.05am, followed by the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay heats at 5.19am.

The focus then shifts to team competition as Bahrain’s reigning Asian handball champions open their Group B campaign against Kazakhstan at 6.30am at ENTRIO, Toyoda Gosei Memorial Gymnasium.

Captain Hussain Al Sayyad leads Robert Hedin’s squad into the Games after three major triumphs in seven months. Their run began at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh last November, before they claimed their maiden Asian Men’s Handball Championship crown in Kuwait in January and won the GCC Games in Doha in May.

The Asian Games title remains the major prize missing from their recent collection. Bronze in 2014 was followed by silver medals in 2018 and 2022, leaving the Warriors aiming to go one better in Japan.

South Korea, Kuwait and Iran complete Bahrain’s five-team group. Their remaining fixtures are against Iran tomorrow at 8.30am, South Korea on Wednesday at 11.30am and Kuwait on Friday at 7.30am, with the top four progressing to the quarter-finals. Hosts Japan, China, Hong Kong and three-time defending champions Qatar form Group A.

Ahmed Naser follows in the men’s individual cycling time trial at 7.30am.

Rounding off the programme, Bahrain’s four-player table tennis team face Chinese Taipei in their opening Group C encounter at Sky Hall Toyota at 12.30pm. The line-up features Rashid Sanad, Mohammed Abbas Abdulwahab, Sayed Murtadha Hussain and Mohammed Nader Al Ali.

All times are in Bahrain time.