Qatari shooter Muhammad Al Rumaihi (centre), and rower Tala Abujbara pose for a photograph with officials upon their arrival in Tokyo, Japan ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games, yesterday.
Doha: Two more members of the Qatari contingent – Muhammad Al Rumaihi and Tala Abujbara – reached Tokyo yesterday, hoping for a strong show at the upcoming Olympic Games.
Al Rumaihi will represent Team Qatar in shooting to start on July 28, while Tala will make history in Tokyo becoming the first Qatari female to participate in a rowing event at Games.
Al Rumaihi, who was accompanied by coach Robert Mlodzianowski, said he was ready to give his best.
“My training for Olympics has been very good. The training camp in Italy which lasted for more than a month was very useful as I competed in different events there,” Al Rumaihi, who will compete in trap event, said yesterday.
“After qualifying for Olympics two years ago following the Asian Championship in Doha, I underwent extensive preparations and I am ready to give my best,” he added.
“I always wanted to be among the elite athletes and I am very happy to compete in Olympics where I will give my best to honour Qatar sports. I want to thank the Qatar Shooting and Archery Association for their help and guidance,” he said.
Saeed Al Mannai, Chairman of the National Teams Committee of the Qatar Shooting and Archery Association (QSAA), hoped Al Rumaihi to shine at Olympics.
“Muhammad Al Rumaihi did a lot of hardwork after qualifying for Olympics. I am hopeful he will give a strong performance,” said Al Mannai.
“We started the journey since the qualification in 2019 and we developed a program that aims to make Qatari shooting at the forefront of the teams seeking to win a medal in the Olympics,” said Al Mannai.
“Our presence in Tokyo will be a turning point in the shooting world and we expect to achieve an honourable result.”
Majid Al Nuaimi, QSAA Secretary General, said Al Rumaihi has a strong chance of achieving good results in Olympics.
“Al Rumaihi has shown a lot of commitment in the last two years. From attending training camps to participation in the events, he has left no stone unturned in his preparations. He is now ready to compete in Olympics and I feel our chances in the Olympics are great,” said Al Nuaimi.
Qatar's beach volleyball players Ahmed Tijan and Cherif Younousse with Volleyball Association (QVA) President Ali bin Ghanem Al Kuwari and other officials prior to their departure for Tokyo, yesterday.
Qatar’s Chef de Mission thanks organising committee
Meanwhile, Tala was accompanied by coach Malcolm Gillock as the two Qatari stars checked in at Olympic Village yesterday along with other officials.
Team Qatar’s Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020 Olympics Mohammed Saeed Al Misnad thanked the organising committee of Tokyo Games for their cooperation with all the participating delegations and wished all success for Team Qatar athletes.
“We are keen to provide our teams and athletes with all possible means of support during their participation in the games. The pre-coordination between Qatar’s administrative delegation and the organizing committee of Tokyo 2020 Olympics began a long time ago to ensure the safety of participating athletes, especially in light of the current circumstances as a result of COVID-19 pandemic” said Al Misnad.
Track and field stars continue training
Meanwhile, Qatari athletes held their second training session in Takasaki yesterday.
Reigning world high jump champion Mutaz Barshim, World Championships 400m hurdles bronze medallist Abderrahman Samba and two-time Asian champion in 100 metres, Femi Ogunode were also seen in action during the training.
Qatar’s athletics squad also include Abubaker Hayder, Abdirahman Saeed Hassan, Musab Adam and Ashraf Amgad El Seify. All participated in yesterday’s training session.
Two-time Olympic medallist Barshim and Samba will be Qatar’s main hopes of medals in athletics.
Qatar’s track and field continent reached the Japanese capital on Thursday.
Beach volleyball players leave for Tokyo
Meanwhile, Qatar's beach volleyball duo of Ahmed Tijan and Cherif Younousse, along with Qatar Volleyball Association (QVA) officials, left for Tokyo yesterday ahead of their participation in the games.
The volleyball delegation is headed by Ali bin Ghanem Al Kuwari, President, QVA, and includes Mohamed Salem Al Kuwari, QVA member of the Board of Directors, Vice-Chairman of the Beach Volleyball Committee, delegation manager, Mohamed Anbar Al Nasser - member of the Beach Volleyball Committee (the delegation administrator), Mariano Paracetti, coach of the national team, assistant coach Pablo Bernardi, and therapist Arnel Cruz.
The beach volleyball competitions will be held at Shiokazi Park Stadium.
