Qatar’s  Muhanad Khamis Saifeldin (C) poses on the podium after winning the steeplechase gold on the opening day of the inaugural Asian Youth Athletics Championships.

By Yash Mudgal/Doha


Muhanad Khamis Saifeldin of Qatar clinched the 2000m steeplechase gold, the first for Qatar, on the opening day of the inaugural Asian Youth Athletics Championships yesterday at Qatar Sports Club.
In the 100m, the marquee event of the day, Yu Sen Shen of Chinese Taipei won the gold with a time of 10.48s, while Poon Hang Wai of Hong Kong won the girls’ sprint  gold by clocking 12.27s.
China’s Tang Yao won the boys’ silver (10.60) and Burhan Wardhani of Indonesia (10.81) took the bronze.
Lebanon’s Lea Paul Obeid came second in the girls section with 12.32s ahead of China’s Hu Siyu (12.32s).
At the start of the steeplechase, Saifeldin and Duc Le Trung of Vietnam got ahead of the pack but before the end of the second lap, the Qatari surged clear and from then on it was his race.
“I am very happy with this time,” Saifeldin said.
“This was my first event and I am delighted that I won in front of my home fans.
“I dedicate this win to Mr Dahlan (QAAF President) and my father who is my coach. I think I ran really well in the last 400m as I put a good distance between myself and the rest. In the last 100m, I knew I’d win today.”
When asked about his future plans, Saifeldin replied, “I am going to take part in the World Youth Championships in Colombia in July and hope to win a medal there.”
Silver medallist Luo Chun of China was never far behind, however, almost running alongside the Qatari throughout. In the last straight, Saifeldin broke away with a strong sprint to finish first in 5:54.34s.
Trung won the bronze with his 6:31.92 run, while Qatar’s Rashid Mohamed al-Qashouti came ninth with a timing of 6:55.77.
China’s Yu Yuzhen and Song Linvi clinched the girls’ javelin throw gold and silver, respectively, while Korea’s Lee Gahui claimed bronze.
In the boy’s shot put event, Chinese Taipei’s Hao Wein Ma won the gold with a throw of 19.43m and India’s Ashish Bhalothia tossed the ball to 17.76m to win the silver. Japan’s Ikegawa Hiroshi won the bronze with a throw of 17.51m.
China’s Dong Xiaocen won the girls’ discuss throw gold with a throw of 45.58m, while UAE’s Fatima al-Hosani won the silver with 41.80m. India’s Seema clinched the bronze with a throw of 41.41m. Seema’s compatriot Sonal Goyal (38.77m) finished fourth.
Earlier, the championship was inaugurated by Minister of Youth and Sports HE Saleh bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali.
Speaking on the occasion, he said: “This championship has a great significance as it emphasizes our concern for the new generation.
“We want it to be a championship that discovers promising talents of the future, and to scout for the future of the continent through great champions who have a passion for challenge. We aspire for a future that suits the largest continent.”