(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Qatar's Mohamed Al Garni powered his way to an Asian Games record while winning the 5,000m gold in spectacular fashion here yesterday.
The 22-year-old annihilated by more than 12 seconds the previous record of 13:38.37 held by Japan's Toshinari Takaoka set at the Hiroshima Asian Games in 1994, but what is even more remarkable about the Qatari's success is the fact that the 5,000m is not even his pet event.
In fact, his career record in the public domain only shows him as having participated in the 5,000m only once, and that too in Qatar last year at the GCC Athletics Championships.
On the IAAF's official website, however, the GCC event does not find even a passing mention, with only his performances in the 800m, 1,500m and 3,000m highlighted.
But all that is bound to change soon as Al Garni left his opponents completely shell-shocked with a brutal surge of pace on the final lap to give Qatar their third gold medal in as many days.
In the process, the 5'3" al-Garni put paid to the hopes of Alemu Bekele and Albert Kibichi of Bahrain who were billed pre-race favourites.
The duo finished in Al Garni's wake with Bekele clocking 13:27.98 and Kibichi 13:28.08, both falling behind several strides as the Qatari pocket rocket coasted past the finish with effortless ease.
Qatar's Abubaker Kamal, who had kept pace with the competition and occasionally even led the race, missed the bronze, finishing fourth in 13:28.59.
"I can't believe it. I always wanted to win of course, but I never thought that I'll be able to do it so convincingly," Al Garni said, still trying to come to grips with his success.
"I always knew I had the ability to win the big races. It was only a question of proper training and motivation. I had the full support of the Qatar Athletics Federation, its coaches and everybody in the establishment."
Al Garni said his performance would encourage him to focus more on the 5000m.
"Yes, I would think so. I fancied myself basically as a 1,500m runner, but now the focus will change a bit."
After two gold medals in shooting, success on the very first day of the athletics competition came as a huge boost for Qatar's 28-member track and field squad, many of whom were present at the stadium to watch Al Garni script his fairytale success.
Qatar Athletics Federation President Dahlan Al Hamad was thrilled with Al Garni's performance.
"We always knew Mohamed was very talented and that he would deliver at the big stage," said Al Hamad.
"That he won the gold medal and that too on the first day of the track and field events hopefully is a sign of better things to come at the Asiad," he added.
Qatar's second gold in athletics could come today with Femi Ogunode qualifying for the semi-finals in the 100m sprint in 10.14 seconds, the fastest time clocked across four heats yesterday.
"I am happy to have clocked the best time in all heats today. It certainly gives me a big dose of confidence ahead of the semi-finals," the 23-year-old said.
The 100m sprint is considered the most prestigious of all competitions at a track and field event with the winner enjoying bragging rights as the 'fastest man' until the next edition is held.
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