ATHLETICS – BAHRAIN’S May Alhaji won the women’s 45 to 49 category in the Ironman 70.3 Muscat Middle East Championship, held over the weekend in Oman.
Alhaji claimed her top-ranking in class in a total race time of four hours 59 minutes 57 seconds, which was a new personal best. She completed the 1.9-kilometre swim in 36 minutes 58 seconds, and then had a best mark of 2:34:51 in the 89.8km bike leg. Alhaji then wrapped up her gold medal performance by completing the 20.3km run in 1:42:13, which was also the best time in her age group.
Joining Alhaji on the women’s 45 to 49 podium were Camilla Grun from Denmark, who was nearly a quarter-of-an-hour behind in 5:14:49, while Natalya Morozova from Kyrgyzstan came third in 5:17:04.
Following the race, Alhaji dedicated this victory to Bahrain’s wise leadership, and to His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa along with SCYS first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman, and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, for their continuous and unwavering support of sports and athletes.
Alhaji emphasised that this backing is the primary motivation driving them to achieve success and raise the kingdom’s flag at all international events.
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