OLYMPIC DREAM
Her ultimate dream is to run in the Olympics. Ethiopia’s Brtukan Ebida Berihan, who is a resident of Muscat, is hardworking as one day she will be able to qualify for the Olympics. The women’s marathon winner at the Al Mouj says she liked the race and conditions and is determined to take part in the next edition in Muscat. Berihan said she was confident of winning the top honours at the start of her debutant race at Al Mouj.
OMANI DELIGHT
Abdulla al Quraini topped the Omani sweep of 10k men category with Ahmed al Amri and Omar al Hmrashdi completing the top three spots. Al Quraini is all delighted and said it was very special with the Omani sweep of the podium. It was a great start to the year for me and increases my confidence as a long-distance runner, he said.
FEMALE POWER
She was ecstatic after becoming the top Omani female runner in the marathon. Hamida Hamood al Jabri, 39, finished 18th competing with top female runners. “This is a major thing for me. I can aim for bigger goals,” the professional runner, who trains under Rashid al Kindi in Excellence group, said. Last year, Hamida became the top Omani in the 21k. Buoyed by the success, Hamida is even thinking of giving a try in competitions outside Oman this year.
SCHOOL IS WHERE IT STARTS
Shihab Alaa Aldin Fayez, a Grade 11 student at Seeb International School, finished second in junior male category and was overall 17th in 10k run. The teenager is happy for the achievement and thanked the school authorities for all the support including a scholarship. “I finished in 40 minutes time (40:42:49). This performance gives me confidence to go ahead as an long-distance athlete. I hope to bring laurels for my country in the future,” the enthusiastic teenager, drapped in Omani flag, said after the closing ceremony.
Compiled by Anuroop A
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