Bahrain put up another sensational show yesterday (Friday) as they made a major leap to lead Arab countries in the overall medal table at the fourth Islamic Solidarity Games, being held in Baku, in Azerbaijan.
The nationals continued to impress in the athletics events, winning three gold and two silver medals to take their jump into the top five of the medal table totaling 16 medals (9 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze).

Competing with some of the best athletes from around the Islamic world from Asia and Africa, the Bahrainis put in a brave performance in different competitions staged at the Olympic Stadium, much to the admiration of the cheering crowd.

Salwa Eid opened Bahrain’s account in an action-packaged day winning the women’s 400mgold in 51.33 seconds after a fierce battle with compatriot Adekoya Oluwakemi (51.81), who settled for the silver, while Nigeria’s Yinka Ajayi (52.57) took the bronze.
The results made both Bahraini runners eligible to compete at the next World Athletics Championship’s 400m event.

Late on, Yaqoub Salem led a four-member team to capture the men’s 4x100m relay in 39.55 seconds. The other Bahrainis wereSaeed Al Khaldi, Isah Musa and Andrew Fisher. Turkey (39.56) were close second and Ivory Coast (39.82) third.

The women’s team followed suit as the quartet of Hajer Al Amiri, Iman Isa, Salwa Eid and Edidiong Ofonime raced to victory in the 4x100m event in combined time of 44.98 seconds. Nigeria (46.20) and Cameron (46.79) were second and third, respectively.

Noora Jassim added another medal to Bahrain’s tally after coming second in the discus throw (50.12 metres), finishing behind Gambian gold medalist Jessica Da Silva (50.23) and ahead of bronze medal winner Amina Moudden (49.56).

Bahrain also had some misfortune yesterday as Tigist Gashaw (4:21.31) and Dalila Gosa (4:23.88) crashed out of the women’s 1,500m battle after coming in fourth and sixth places, respectively in the final race.

Morocco’s Rababe Arafi (4:18.92) took the gold, followed by Turky  Meryem Akdag (4:19.91) and Amina Bettiche (4:21.29) of Algeria who were respectively second and third.

Meanwhile, Benson Kiplagat and Sadik Mikhou both scored fine timings to qualify for the men’s 1,500m final scheduled for 4.25pm (Bahrain) today.

The five-day Athletics events will come to a close today when the Bahraini athletes look to win more medals in the women’s 10,000m final (9.20am) through Rose Chelimo and Shitaye Eshete.

In the evening session, Sadik Mikhou and Benson Kiplagat will spearhead Bahrain in the men’s 1,500m final at 4.05pm, then Bahrain’s last runner Abraham Cheroben seeks an honorable finish in the men’s 10,000m final.

Elsewhere, Bahrain’s Adam Batirov will begin his campaign in the wrestling 70kg qualifying round at 9.44am.

Should the Asian wrestling champion pass the preliminary stages, Batirov would play in the semi-finals at 10.39am, while the final is due to commence at 12.05pm.

Source: Fana News