?Ali Dawani’s hopes of making progress in the tennis doubles in the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, being held in Buenos Aires, were vanished.
The 15-year-old Bahraini teamed up with Dostanbek Tashbulatov of Kazakhstan in the opening match of the men’s doubles event, where they lost to Dominican Republic’s Nick Hardt and his Aruban partner Patrick Sydow 0-6, 1-6 in about 40 minutes.
Playing at B.A Lawn Tennis Court, the Bahraini/Kazakh team were unable to match the strength and talent of their opponents, who secured an easy victory and a place in the competition’s quarter-finals, scheduled for today (Wednesday).
Dawani, who kicked started his campaign with a 0-2 (2-6, 1-6) defeat to Netherland’s Jasper De Jong in the men’s singles first round on Sunday, hopes to put a better mark in his third and last appearance in the games as he teams up with Thasaporn Naklo of Thailand in the first round of the mixed doubles event.
They will be taking on the team of Sada Nahimana of Burundi and South Africa’s Philip Barr Henning, with the winner to advance into the tournament’s second round that will take place tomorrow.
In weightlifting, Maryam Sharifa – the only Bahraini representative in the sport – has set up a new personal record despite coming fifth among seven athletes in the women’s 48-kg weight category held at Europe Pavilion.
Placed in Group ‘A’, the 15-year-old Maryam was able to snatch 43kg, while her clean & jerk attempt was 62kg for 105 total points. Mexico’s Yesica Yadira topped the group with 171 points in total. She was followed by Yineth Milena of Colombia (162) and Romania’s Mihaela Valentina (158) third.
Meanwhile, Bahrain short-distance sprinters Ahmed Anan and Marwa Al Ajooz resumed training ahead of their respective track events starting tomorrow at the athletics field.
Sixteen-year-old Anan will be competing in the men’s 400m heat, while Marwa – also aged 16 – is to take part in the women’s 100m heat. The pair have been training with their national tactician Salim Nasser for these two events, both of which will take place tomorrow.
