Sport | Other Sports
Saudi Arabia's Habeeb is fastest man
Yahya Hassan Habeeb ran a blistering 10.32 to claim the coveted 100 metres sprint gold for Saudi Arabia, while Uzbekistan's Guzel Khubbieva took the women's title in a season's best 11.27.
- By Sarah Tregoning, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:35 May 3, 2009
- Image Credit: Karl Jeffs/Gulf News
- Yahya Hassan Habeeb of Saudi Arabia (No 432) on his way to win the gold medal in the men’s 100 metres with a time of 10.32 seconds.
Doha: Diminutive Yahya Hassan Habeeb ran a blistering 10.32 to claim the coveted 100 metres sprint gold for Saudi Arabia, while Uzbekistan's Guzel Khubbieva cried into her blue nail polish after she took the women's title in a season's best 11.27.
Habeeb beat off competition from Japan's Naoki Tsukahara, whose 10.34 time was a long way off his personal best of 10.25. Wachara Sondee from Thailand won bronze in a time of 10.39.
After his win, Habeeb, 22, who stands just 165cm tall, ran a lap of honour draped in his country's flag.
In the women's race, the 30-year-old Khubbieva's first gold medal had been a long time coming but was all the sweeter for it.
A false start from third-placed Ruqaya Al Ghasara saw the Bahraini, the fastest woman in Asia this year, get away very slowly the second time the gun went off. Al Ghasara's loss was Khubbieva's gain.
"I didn't think I would win but I did," admitted Khubbeiva afterwards.
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Jayasinghe second
Silver medallist, the experienced Sri Lankan, Susanthika Jayasinghe, who finished in 11.34, said she was delighted to have come second despite being laid up for five days with a fever just a week ago.
"I'm very happy," she said. "I have been training for just a week since I was ill. I'm pleased my body is in good condition but not as good as it could have been because of the fever. I felt good out there so I'm looking forward to the 200 metres."
Long jumper Taher Al Saba, back from a two-year suspension for a failed dope test, retained his long jump title and led a double gold night for the Saudis.
Coached by world record holder Mike Powell, Al Saba, said: "I feel great. I am the goldenboy of Saudi Arabia." War-ravaged Iraq and Gulf neighbour Iran advanced to the soccer semifinals Iraq beat Uzbekistan 2-1 and Iran won 8-7 on penalties after the teams were level 2-2 after two extra periods.
Iraq's win was greeted by a massive barrage of celebratory gunfire back home.
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