Bahrain yesterday added another medal to its tally at the 2016 Asian Beach Games in Da Nang, Vietnam.
Ali Al Qassab showed a solid performance to clinch the 162cm gold, Bahrain’s second medal in the Games. Ali Monfaredi opened Bahrain’s account winning the jiu jitsu’s 77kg gold medal on Sunday.
Bahrain were also spearheaded by Ali Qassab (162kg), Jassim Marhoon (180cm) and Mohammed Rashid (168cm), who could only finish fourth and sixth, respectively.
Al Qassab’s victory was given double thumbs up by International Weightlifting and Bodybuilding Federation vice-president, Asian Bodybuilding Federation president and Bahrain Weightlifting Federation president Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashid Al Khalifa, who is presently with the team in Vietnam.
Al Qassab was overwhelmed when he was congratulated in person by His Majesty the King Representative for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Supreme Council for Youth and Sports Chairman, and BOC President Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa in a phone call right after the competition.
The championship was also witnessed by Supreme Council for Youth and Sports assistant general secretary and Bahrain Olympic Committee general secretary Abdulrahman Askar, who congratulated Shaikh Abdulla and Al Qassab on this glorious victory.
Meanwhile, the beach handball team saw their podium dreams go up in smoke after conceding a second defeat yesterday.
A 1-2 loss to Qatar in the Group ‘A’ decider ended Bahrain’s chances of finishing in the top two to qualify for the semi-finals, and out of the competition.
Sayed Shehab Ahmed made the bulk of scoring for Bahrain in yesterday’s match with eight goals.
Coached by Raed Al Marzooqi, Bahrain were also spearheaded by Mahmood Mahdi (7 goals), Belal Bahsam (5), Jaafer Mohammed (1), Adam Al Nasheet, Fahad Jassim and goalkeeper Abdulla Al Zaimoor.
Bahrain started their campaign winning their opener against Thailand 2-1. However, they faced a tougher Pakistan team, who took the second tie 2-1. Going into their third game, Bahrain proved to strong for India 2-0 to keep their qualifying chances alive.