Oman’s promising swimmer Issa al Adawi sounded confident to deliver a strong show in his anticipated debut at 100 metres freestyle in the 32nd edition of the Summer Olympic Games- Tokyo 2020 which will begin on Friday until August 8.
The Sultanate's talented swimmer underwent an intensive preparatory plan to get ready for the Olympics under supervision of Japanese coach Kusanagi Kenta in Chukyou University in Japan.
The Sultanate representative in swimming competition will enter the Olympic Village on Thursday as the first athlete from Oman.
Issa will hope to better Oman's record in the swimming event. The national shooting team will arrive in Tokyo on Monday as the next national sporting team while both athletics and weightlifting teams will reach Japan on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old will kick off his competitions on Tuesday at the Tokyo Aquatic Centre which was constructed recently for the Games. It features many facilities that will suit the participated swimmers. After completion of Tokyo Games, it is expected that the top Olympic venue in Japan will host many major regional and international championships.
Issa, Oman's flag bearer at the Olympics, said:” Taking part in Olympics is a dream for any sportsman. I am very glad to be selected as one of the athletes to represent my country in this top showpiece event. Fortunately, this edition of Olympics occurred in Japan as I am still a student in Chukyou University in Sports Science major. Thanks to Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) officials to provide me a chance of carrying the Sultanate flag during the opening ceremony. I cannot express my feelings and mood for this great opportunity,” he added.
Commenting on his underway camp at Saitama Rikkyo University, he responded:” I am gearing up for the 2020 Olympics by a final camp at Saitama Rikkyo University under full supervision of coach Kusanagi Kenta. The camp started many days ago and we focused on different parts during the daily training sessions including: the initial jump start, rotation training and other technical trainings. I managed to register my best record during Japan Open Championship in the previous month as I clocked 50.17 for 100 metres freestyle. My target it to break this record soon despite it is tough task as I required three years to reach into this timing,” he ended.
TECHNICAL MEETINGS
Several technical meetings will take place on Thursday ahead of the competitions which are expected to start on Saturday after the completion of opening ceremony on Friday.
The shooting technical congress will start at 4 pm at Asaka Shooting Range while the swimming’s meeting will begin in the same time at the Tokyo Aquatic Centre. The weightlifting competition technical gathering will kick off at 4 pm in Tokyo International Forum.
The meetings will be followed by visit to different facilities and locations of the teams during the competitions. During all the technical meetings, the teams' representatives will confirm the final entries list and will be updated on the rules and regulations of each competition. The Covid-19 procedures will be explained during the meet.
TAHA ARRIVES
Oman Olympic Committee Secretary-General Taha al Kishry arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday. Kazem al Balushi, the Sultanate’s Chef De Mission, received him in Narita International Airport.
The Sultanate official will attend the opening ceremony of Tokyo 2020 Olympics and he will visit all the national athletes ahead of their competition. Al Kishry, also board member of international swimming body Fina, will take part in many official meetings of Fina during the Olympics.
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