Qatar’s Al Rumaihi books berth at Tokyo Olympics

Doha, Qatar: Mohamed Al Rumaihi booked a quota spot at the Tokyo Olympics in trap event before joining Saeed Abu Sharib and Rashid Al Athba to win bronze in the team category as Qatar enjoyed a day to remember at the Asian Shooting Championships at the Lusail Shooting Complex on Wednesday.

Al Rumaihi finished fifth but that was enough in the end as Kuwaiti shooters made a clean sweep of the podium with Talal Al Rashidi wining gold, Khaled Al Mudhaf taking silver ahead of Naser Al Meqlad.

But since Abdulrahman Al Faihan had already booked a berth at Tokyo last year exhausting Kuwait's spots, Al Rumaihi became the beneficiary.

“I am very happy that I could qualify for the Olympics. It is a dream come true for me,” al-Rumaihi said. 

“It was a tough contest. The Kuwaiti shooters were every strong. I am proud of my effort,” he added.

Qatar Shooting and Archery Association President Ali Mohamed Al Kuwari said they were expecting more from Qatari shooters.

“Our aim was to secure as many quota places as possible for the Olympics. With Mohamed’s success, we have got one now and we are very happy with that,” said Al Kuwari. “We are hopeful. Especially, we have high hopes from Nasser.”

Meanwhile, China lead the championship with five gold six silver and three bronze.

South Korea are second with three gold, two silver and a bronze with Kuwait third on two gold and one silver and bronze apiece.