ENDURANCE – BAHRAIN signed off from their historic participation as hosts of the third Asian Youth Games yesterday by bagging silver in equestrian endurance – the last event held in this year’s mega multi-sport event.
The kingdom’s squad of Sultan Alromaihi riding BK Habanero, Abdulrahman Alkhatri riding Alcoy Descostieres AA, Faisal Alanezi riding Arabec Jamiroquai, Bader Alanezi riding Hurricane Kazan, and Nayef Sabt riding Huzeibir Du Lebous finished as runners-up in the teams’ category of the gruelling 119-kilometre ride, which began on Thursday afternoon and ended yesterday morning at Bahrain International Endurance Village in Sakhir.
More than 40 equestrians took part in the race representing seven nations from across the continent, with the others including gold-medallists the UAE, bronze medal winners Saudi Arabia, Jordan, China, Malaysia, and Myanmar.
The Bahrainis completed the distance in a total time of 15 hours 58 minutes and 28 seconds – more than an hour-and-a-half behind the Emiratis, who triumphed in 14:14:54. Saudi finished in 18:45:34 for third place, while none of the other squads made it onto the final teams’ classification.
Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation president Shaikh Isa bin Abdullah Al Khalifa was on hand to present the winners their medals.
Also in attendance was Royal Stables and Bahrain Royal Endurance Team director general Dr Khalid Ahmed Hassan, who congratulated the team for their achievement.
Bahrain’s silver medal yesterday brought their overall haul to 13 for this year’s Asian Youth Games. Their winnings include five gold, five silver, and three bronze medals.
Meanwhile, Bahrain narrowly missed out on a place on the race’s individual podium yesterday, with all three medals being swept by the UAE.
Alrumaihi was the home side’s leading finisher in fourth place with a personal time of 4:45:49. Alkhatri followed in fifth place in 5:36:19, while Faisal Alanezi came sixth just a second behind. Bader Alanezi was seventh in the order in 5:45:25, while Sabt and Bahrain’s other participant, Aseel Alsendi riding Gaya des Vabres, missed out on a place in the individual classification.
Taking individual gold was the UAE’s Essa Rashed Almazrouei riding SW Kapelia, who won in 4:44:57. He led teammates Ahmad Abdulrahman Albastaki on Gepito and Khalifa Rashed Alameeni on SW Ikran to the finish line. The trio were separated from one another by just one second.
Three Saudi riders completed the top 10 – Qusai Sami Hussain Saber on Adham Albaraq was eight in 6:15:08, Abdullah Othman Almisned on Anqara was ninth a further second back, and Salman Alqurashi on SW Gall came 10th in 6:15:17.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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