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Omani athlete Mubeen al Kindi secured gold in the hammer throw at the U-23 Arabian Athletics Championship creating not only a new Omani record but also the championship record by achieving a distance of 67.46m.
Speaking from Egypt to Muscat Daily, Kindi expressed his pride, stating, “I am delighted to have won gold in the hammer throwing competition and set both a new Omani record and a new championship record.”
This achievement is a testament to the tremendous efforts of the technical staff led by coach Saeed Al Harithy, who meticulously managed both technical and psychological preparations for each tournament, he added.
“I am grateful for the unwavering support provided by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth throughout my journey. This participation marks the fourth Omani record achieved this year in the meet, fulfilling our ambitious goals.”
Reflecting on the tournament, he recounted, “I achieved this result after six throwing attempts: 67.46m in the first attempt, 66.71m in the second, 65.48m in the third, 65.63m in the fourth, 65.63m in the fifth, and finally 66.70m in the sixth and last attempt.”
Discussing his preparation for the championship, he said, “The preparation phase was extensive, focused on gradual improvement towards achieving a 67-meter mark. I had promising results during training camps, including in Egypt and the Egyptian Club Championship, where I reached 66.24m. Looking ahead, my goal is to hit cross the 68m mark next year as part of our planned progression. As I transition from junior to senior level in hammer throw with a 7.26kg weight, I am determined to achieve new milestones in my upcoming endeavors.”
Kindi expressed gratitude, saying, “I deeply appreciate the steadfast support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Omani Athletics Federation, and the Omani Olympic Committee.”
From the Omani delegation, Ali al Balushi won gold in 100m and 200m races, while Hussein al Farsi got bronze in 800m.
Ashraf Mahrous, known also as Kabonga, pulled a 279-ton train using only his teeth, while also observing the Ramadan fast.
An Egyptian wrestler has received recognition in three categories by Guinness World Records , including for breaking the world record for heaviest rail pull using only his teeth.
Ashraf Mahrous, known by his nickname Kabonga, also received certificates for the heaviest locomotive pull and fastest 100-metre road vehicle pull.
The successful world record attempts took place at Cairo’s Ramses train station on Wednesday and Thursday, where Kabonga pulled a 279-ton train using a rope held by his teeth. The wrestler pulled the train for a distance of close to 11 metres.
“On the first day, I was able to pull a two-ton cart, while fasting, for a distance of 107 meters in 37 seconds, breaking another record by pulling a one-ton cart for 100 meters and surpassing the 60-second barrier,” Kabonga told Anadolu, highlighting that he had been abstaining from eating and drinking due to the Ramadan fast, which lasts from pre-dawn to sunset.
“The next day, on Thursday afternoon, I pulled a train weighing 279 tons with my shoulders, while fasting, for a distance of 10 metres and 66 centimeters,” he added.
Kabonga, who is the president of the Egyptian Federation for Professional Wrestlers, previously pulled a 15,730-kilogram truck with his teeth in 2021. In February 2024, he cracked and ate 30 raw eggs in 30 seconds in a feat that was also recognised by Guinness World Records.
Dawlet Elnakeb, an organiser of Thursday’s event in Cairo, said Kabonga had trained for just 20 days prior to the record breaking event.
source/content: newarab.com (headline edited)
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Ashraf Mahrous, known as Kabonga, is president of the Egyptian Federation for Professional Wrestlers [Getty]
Moroccan boxer Widad Bertal was crowned world champion in the women’s bantamweight, showcasing the country’s surging talent in the combat sport.
Widad Bertal, one of Morocco’s rising boxing stars, is a world champion after winning the women’s bantamweight category at the 2025 IBA World Boxing Championships in Serbia. Meanwhile, the Palestinian squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers due to be held this month has been revealed through a touching video, showcasing life in the devastated Gaza Strip.
Also in Morocco, underdogs RS Berkane were crowned league champions after a near-undefeated run in the 2024/2025 soccer season.
Moroccan boxer Widad Bertal crowned world champion at Women’s World Boxing Championships
Moroccan boxer Widad Bertal has claimed the World Champion title in the 52-54 kg weight category at the Women’s World Boxing Championships, held in Nis, Serbia, from 9 to 16 March 2025, after defeating Turkish competitor Hatice Bektas.
Bertal’s victory cements her status as one of the sport’s rising stars. She previously secured gold medals at the African Championships in Yaoundé in 2023 and Kinshasa in 2024, establishing herself as a dominant force in the ring.
Her latest triumph represents a major achievement for Moroccan boxing on the global stage.
Morocco’s success in Serbia did not end there. Fellow Moroccan boxer Hasnae Larti added to the country’s medal haul by winning bronze in the 75-81 kg weight category, further highlighting Morocco’s growing strength in women’s boxing.
The achievements of Bertal and Larti reflect Morocco’s rising prominence in international boxing competitions . Their success has drawn praise from sports officials and fans alike, who see them as an inspiration for aspiring athletes across the country.
In recognition of her remarkable victory, King Mohammed VI sent a congratulatory message to Bertal, celebrating her world title triumph.
“We share with you, with great joy, feelings of pride in this well-deserved victory that crowned your perseverance and ambition to raise your country’s flag high on the podium and inscribe your name in the register of champions,” the King’s message read.
“We pray to God to grant you continued success and brilliance in your upcoming competitions.”
Palestinian World Cup qualifier squad revealed in touching Gaza video
The Palestinian Football Association unveiled their squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers via a video highlighting Israel’s devastating war on Gaza, and Palestinians’ love for the sport.
The players are revealed bit by bit in the 3-minute, 11-second clip showcasing life in the destroyed enclave.
The clip starts with a young boy by wearing a Palestinian football shirt playing on the seashores of Gaza. He then spots a portrait of Musab al-Battat, the team’s captain, among rubble.
The child then walks into the city’s ruins clutching the portrait, as we see Gaza’s population living in makeshift tents, queuing for water and selling what they can to make a living .
The boy then meets with a friend, who also reveals a portrait of another player. The two boys are joined by a third friend, who also pulls out a picture. The trio continue to be joined by more friends, as more Palestinian players are revealed.
Some of the players are revealed in during a segment where we see a young man selling snacks, other members of the Palestinian team are shown during a makeshift classroom as children attend a lessson amid war .
The clip also shows Gaza City’s emblematic Yarmouk Stadium. The venue is one of the oldest stadiums in Palestine, and was turned into a internment camp by Israeli forces during the early months of the war in Gaza. It has since become a place of refuge for the territory’s displaced Palestinians.
The video ends by showing children playing football in the stadium.
The Palestinian side will face Jordan in an away game on Thursday as part of the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers . They will also play against Iraq on 25 March at Amman’s International Stadium.
Among the players selected are forward Oday Dabbagh, midfielder Mahmoud Abu Warda and defenders Yaser Hamed and Mohamed Saleh.
RS Berkane make Moroccan football history after being crowned league champions
Moroccan football team RS Berkane made history in the country this week, winning their first-ever league title, locally known as Botola.
Their crowning came as they drew 1-1 in a home game against Rabat side Union de Touarga on Saturday.
The team, located in northeastern Morocco, have had their strongest-ever runs in the Moroccan championship, having only lost one game so far, winning 18 and drawing six – putting them in a comfortable lead against competition favourites Wydad Casablanca and Rabat-based AS FAR.
The squad sits comfortably at the top of the Botola table, having gathered 60 points, while second-place AS FAR trail behind with 45 points.
Their coach, Tunisian Mouine Chaabani, has been instrumental to their success, having joined in February of last year following his success with Tunisian club Espérance Sportive de Tunis.
Chaabani’s coaching skills propelled the team from their sixth-position finish two seasons ago to third last year, before winning the title this season.
RS Berkane’s winning ways have also secured them a place in the CAF African Champions League for the first time ever.
Their win has made headlines across Morocco, with celebrations held in the city of Berkane among fans and locals.
The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) also extended their congratulations to the club.
The Kuwaiti athlete set a new person best time at the games in the women’s single sculls final rowing competition on Friday
Regional female athletes are giving us plenty to cheer about at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Team Bahrain’s Amani Al-Obaidly set a new national and personal best record in the women’s 100m backstroke heats earlier this week, while Team Saudi proudly celebrated its first female Olympic swimmer, 17-year-old Mashael Al Ayed. Emirati sprinter Maryam Al Farsi beat out her best time, setting a new personal record during the women’s 100-metre sprint today.
Now Kuwait’s Soaad Al-Faqaan is celebrating her own great accomplishment: setting a new national record in the the women’s single sculls final rowing competition. Soaad is Kuwait’s first female Olympic rower. Today, at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, she beat out her best time by 11 seconds in the women’s single sculls final E race, finishing with a time of 8:05.18 in fifth place.
Earlier this week she came fourth in the qualifying rounds, clocking a time of 8:28.89.
While she won’t be moving forward, Soaad has done a huge service to her country and the sport of rowing — and is clearly an inspiration for aspiring athletes from the region.
After weeks of speculation, Marmoush agrees to a deal with the Premier League champions that runs until 2029.
Manchester City have announced the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush for a reported initial fee of about $72.6m.
“The 25-year-old Egyptian striker has completed a move to the Etihad Stadium on a four-and-a-half-year deal, meaning he will remain at the Club until the summer of 2029,” City said in a statement on Thursday.
“This is a day I will never forget,” Marmoush said after signing up with the English Premier League champions.
“To sign for Manchester City – one of the best teams in the world – is an amazing feeling. I am delighted, my family are so proud, and we are all very happy to be here in Manchester.
“With Pep, his technical staff and the world-class facilities here, players have everything they need to improve. That was really enticing for me when I had the chance to come here.”
Marmoush is City’s third signing of the January transfer window following the arrivals of defenders Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.
The former Bundesliga star’s contract is understood to include a potential further $5m in add-ons.
Born in Cairo in 1999, Marmoush stood out early in the academy of club Wadi Degla in the Egyptian Premier League. At just 17, he was promoted to the first team and joined Wolfsburg’s reserves a year later.
At Wolfsburg, Marmoush initially struggled for consistency and game time, resulting in loans to St Pauli and Stuttgart.
The striker moved to Frankfurt on a free transfer before the 2023-2024 season and scored 12 goals in 29 league games.
Marmoush’s development has drawn inevitable comparisons to his compatriot Mohamed Salah, but the Liverpool superstar warned against such correlations.
“Omar has great potential and is an important player for his team and the national team currently, but I hope we stay away from the idea of comparisons because it will put him under pressure,” Salah said in November.
“Do not compare him to me. Do not say the ‘new Mohamed Salah’. Let him live his career. Comparing a player at the beginning of his career with another who has achieved a lot over many years does not help him.”
City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain said Marmoush was an “accomplished and exciting forward”.
“He’s had an outstanding season, and every time we have watched him, he has influenced matches,” he said.
“He has all the attributes a top-class attacker requires. He has outstanding pace and awareness, and he is exceptional in front of goal. He can also play a number of different positions, which is a really valuable asset.”
His arrival at the Etihad Stadium comes during a frustrating season for City.
City, champions for the past four seasons, are currently fifth in the Premier League, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool having played a game more.
Defeat at Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday has also left Pep Guardiola’s side in danger of missing out on the Champions League knockout stages.
source/content: aljazeera.com/sports (Al Jazeera and News Agencies) / (headline edited)
Sudanese football coach Janet Habil told Altaghyeer she was proud as the first woman from her country to coach in Saudi Arabian, leading al-Najma (the Star) women football team, a genuine motivation for her to press for success and achievement.
* How do you feel as you take your first step on the road to success?
– Praise be to Allah, I’m definitely very proud and grateful for the opportunity to prove myself and be an effective member of the society, and I will deliver, Allah willing.
* Have you ever dreamed to be the first Sudanese woman to train in Saudi Arabia?
– Honestly, I have been dreaming and dead sure of taking this role because I know Saudi Arabia is a country that secure due rights for both men and women, and it supports young talents within its 2030 Vision.
* What is missing for Sudanese women to succeed as football coaches, players or even administrators?
– Every hardworking person deserve a share of success. I don’t think that a Sudanese young man or woman lack talent or self-confidence, but we lack resources. Another vital element needed for going forward in the road to success, is the backer who supports youth achieve their set goals.
* In your view .. why training of the Sudanese National Woman Football Team was not assigned to a woman?
– I think it is better to have a woman coach because she would be closer to the women community and hence able to understand their feeling, thinking and abilities, I believe that women can handle any challenge and realize their visions. However, it seems the selection of coaches for the Women National Team was based on specific criteria, namely the level of the candidate’s training license. But, we have competent female trainers such as Sara Edward who is an A Pro License holder but she is currently living in Germany. We have also very important women coaches like Salma al-Majdi and Ibtihaj Derma.
* How was your experience as a player in the Sudanese women football team al-Tahadi (the Challenge)?
– Al-Tahadi is one of the Sudan’s first women football teams, I was selected to the team on merits of my talent and capabilities and therefore I succeeded in proving myself, praise be to Allah, and thanks to the team and coach Sara Edward who believed in me as a player and after I sustained injury she supported me to adopt a coaching career.
* How do you describe your experience in the Jeddah al-Najma club of Saudi Arabia?
– I’m going through a very big experience in al-Najma team and I’m very proud to be a member of this team. Definitely there are challenges, but difficulties are found to be overcome for us to achieve our dreams. With people around who believe in you and with confidence in our abilities we can achieve anything. I’m grateful to al-Najma Club (administration, technical and medical teams) that has placed its trust on me as a coach and provided me with this good opportunity.
* What do you say about women football in Saudi Arabia, as a nascent sport activity within that community?
– It is a very successful experience because the Kingdom’s leadership have great faith in women capabilities a matter that enhanced women self-confidence. I can say that Saudi women football clubs are up to par with their counterparts in any country that has preceded in this field.
Bahrain’s national football team won the 26th Gulf Cup, “Khaleeji Zain 26”, defeating Oman 2-1 in the final held at Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait.
This marks Bahrain’s second Gulf Cup title, showcasing a determined and inspiring performance throughout the tournament.
The victory came in an excitement-filled atmosphere reflecting the camaraderie of Gulf nations.
It highlighted Bahrain’s dominance in the pitch, with the team controlling the game to secure a well deserved win.
This edition of the Gulf Cup, hosted by Kuwait, was commended for its exceptional organisation, setting a benchmark for regional sports events.
The Ministry of Culture unveiled the largest painting on canvas in the world by the artist Emad Al Salehi, at Qatar University yesterday.
The 9,652 sq metre artwork, equivalent to the size of a football field, is titled The Story of a Ball and was adjudged as the largest art canvas by the Guinness Book of Records officials.
The 9,652 sq metre artwork, equivalent to the size of a football field, is titled The Story of a Ball and was adjudged as the largest art canvas by the Guinness Book of Records officials.
The painting tells the history of the World Cup from its inception in 1930 until the World Cup 2022, which combines culture, history and sports and embodies the landmarks and icons of all the World Cup tournaments in Qatar.
The unveiling of the artwork comes at a time when the country is in the midst of the FIFA World Cup Qatar and as it readies to celebrate its National Day on December 18, 2022.
At the inaugural ceremony, a video was shown about the stages of completion of the huge artwork, after which the Guinness Book of Records certificate was handed over, marking its entry into the record book, in the presence of the Ministry of Culture officials and media.
Artist Emad Salehi receives Guinness World Record Award from the Minister of Culture, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al Thani during the inauguration Reuters/Hamad I Mohammed
Artist Emad Salehi receives Guinness World Record Award from the Minister of Culture, Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al Thani during the inauguration Reuters/Hamad I Mohammed
Somali-born athlete Abdihamid Nur has qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Team after finishing second in the men’s 5 000 metres with a time of 13:09.01 at the 2024 Team USA Olympic Trials held on Sunday at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon State.
Nur’s performance was a significant improvement on the time he posted in the first round of qualifying, a race he completed in 13:24.14.
Before confirming his place, Nur engaged in an entertaining duel with Grant Fisher, who won the race with a meet record of 13:08.85.
The duo broke away from the rest with four laps to go and exchanged the lead several times before Fisher surged past Nur in the final stretch to win the race.
At the moment the two will be Team USA’s only representatives in the 5 000 metres at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games as, Parker Wolfe, who finished third in 13:10.75, will still have to negotiate more qualifying hurdles based on world rankings to seal a spot.
Epic finish between Grant Fisher and Abdihamid Nur.
Until Wolfe’s qualification is confirmed, Fisher and Nur will be tasked with ensuring that USA gets a medal in the 5 000 metres for the third consecutive Olympic Games.
Kenyan-born Paul Chelimo, who won silver at Rio 2016 and bronze at Tokyo 2020, ensured that USA had a place on the medal winners’ podium at the last two Olympic Games.
Other American Olympic medallists in the 5 000 metres are: Ralph Hill (silver at Los Angeles 1932), Bob Schul (gold at Tokyo 1964), and Bill Dellinger (bronze at Tokyo 1964).
Nur was born in Mogadishu on October 14, 1998. His family emigrated to Kenya briefly before moving to Egypt when Nur was four years old. Nur’s family later relocated to the USA in 2006, first living in New Mexico, before moving to Minnesota, and later settling in Phoenix, Arizona, where Nur nurtured his athletics talent as High School student at North High School and later at the Northern Arizona University.
At Northern Arizona University, Nur featured in the NCAA Championships winning several races across the 1 500 metres, 3 000 metres, and 5 000 metres.
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games will be the first of Nur’s career.
However, that does not mean he lacks international experience as he has represented USA in the 5 000 metres at the 2022 and 2023 World Athletics Championships held in Eugene and Budapest respectively.
Sharjah International Marine Sports Club displayed, during the third day of the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show 2024, the fastest motor boat in the world, reaching a speed of 220 km/h.
This boat, which was locally manufactured by Emirati hands at Sharjah Marine, is an embodiment of Emirati innovation and creativity in the field of marine industries, which enhances the country’s leadership in this sector globally.
On its third day, the exhibition witnessed a large turnout of visitors, with a remarkable presence of international brands that presented their creations for the first time in the Middle East.
Among the highlights of the third day’s shows were the luxury yacht Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63, making its regional debut, and the Finnish-designed Grandesa 37, which combines innovation and practicality
