(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
Qatar's super-athlete Abdalelah Haroun entered the record books when he clocked 45.68 seconds in the men's 400 metres final to win Qatar's first gold medal at the Ashgabat 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games yesterday.
The 20-year-old young star's performance erased the decade-old Games record of 46.08 seconds, held by China's Wang Liangyu.
Saudi Arabia's Mazen Mawtan Aiyasen secured the silver, clocking a personal best of 46.35 seconds ahead of Kazakhstan's Mikhail Litvin who completed the podium, clocking 46.51 seconds.
'I am so happy to have won the gold. This is a gift for my country and for the Qatar Olympic Committee. I want to say a big thank you to them and especially for my coach, Haroun said after his record run.
'The time is good but it was a bit difficult as this was the last competition of a long season. But I'm happy with the record, he said.
On how winning the gold compares to bronze at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in London, Haroun said: 'London was good, but this is different. I did not race after London in case I got an injury. I just wanted to stay fresh for these championships.
The World 400m (outdoor) bronze medallist and the 2016 World indoor 400m silver medallist had his eyes for double-gold in Ashgabat as he was looking to secure berth in the men's 800 metres final. However, his hopes were dashed after the day's schedule did not give him much room to prepare.
Haroun had only 45 minutes between his 400 metres final and the semi-final of the 800 metres and he was not ready to waste his energy ahead of his pet event.
'I put it in my mind but it was just 45 minutes between races. It was too close so I decided on the 400m and just go as fast as I could.
However, his fellow team-mate, Jamal Hairane made it to the final of the men's 800 metres after securing the second place at yesterday's second semi-final at Ashgabat Indoor Athletics Arena.
The dream for a gold medal in the 800 metres may be over for Haroun, but he has still got the opportunity to double his gold in Ashgabat when Qatar competes in the men's 400 metres relay today.
'I have maybe the 4x400m then it's finished. Then it is my holiday, Haroun said.
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