Bahrain emerged as the leading Arab nation in the 19th Asian Games, hosted in Hangzhou from September 23 to October 8, securing an impressive six medals, including three gold, one silver, and two bronze.
The national handball team played a pivotal role in Bahrain’s success, securing a spot in the semi-finals with a convincing 29-20 victory over Iran. The basketball team also contributed to Bahrain’s achievements by securing their first victory in the tournament, defeating their Thai counterparts with a score of 76-62.
Bahrain’s dominance extended to the track events, with Oluwakemi Adekoya winning the gold medal in the women’s 400-meter race with a time of 50.66 seconds. Salwa Eid Naser added to Bahrain’s medal tally, securing the silver medal with a time of 50.92 seconds.
Birhanu Balew showcased exceptional performance in the men’s 10,000-meter race, clinching the gold medal with a time of 28:13.62 minutes, facing strong competition from Indian and Japanese runners.
In addition to the gold and silver, Bahrain earned two bronze medals. Hajer Al Khaldi secured third place in the women’s 100-meter race with a time of 11.35 seconds, and Ahmed Abbas claimed third place in the men’s 400-meter race, contributing to Bahrain’s successful campaign in the 19th Asian Games. Long-distance runner Violah Jepchumba secured Bahrain’s first gold medal in the women’s 10,000 meters final on the opening day of the athletics competitions.
