History repeats as Barshim shares gold with Hamdi Ali

• Qatar grab four more gold yesterday to retain their third place in the medals table, which is led by Bahrain

In a repeat of last year’s Tokyo Olympics, Qatar’s high jump superstar Mutaz Barshim had to share gold again at the GCC Games in Kuwait yesterday.
Barshim and Italian Gianmarco Tamberi had famously shared gold in Tokyo last August but since then the two had vowed not to repeat it again. However, the reigning world champion Barshim did precisely that with compatriot Hamdi Ali yesterday.
In the men’s high jump competition at the GCC Games, the Qatari duo was tied at 2.15 and Barshim was more than happy to go as joint winner with his junior teammate as both failed to clear 2.18. Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Ahmed and Kuwait’s Khaled al-Mesaad, who both cleared 2.10, finished second and third respectively.   
The high jump victories helped Qatar grab four more gold medals at the Games after winning three gold medals each on the first two days. With 10 gold, as many silver and eight bronze medals, Qatar retained their third place in the medals table, led by Bahrain, who have won 17 gold, 14 silver and seven bronze medals so far. Hosts Kuwait are second with 13 gold, 13 silver and 15 bronze medals.  
Earlier, Ashraf Amjad El Seify lived up to expectations as the Qatari star eased to victory in men’s hammer throw with a mark of 69.40. Kuwait’s Ali Zankawi (66.97) claimed silver while Bahrain’s Mahmoud Elgohary (64.68) secured bronze medal in the event. After his triumph in men’s 800m race on Tuesday, Qatar’s middle-distance runner Abdul Rahman Hassan clinched his second gold medal at the Games after storming to win in men’s 1500m with a time of 4:02.93. Ali Musab secured a one-two for Qatar by winning silver medal after clocking 4:04.32. Kuwait’s Khaled Alharbi (4:06.36) walked away with a bronze medal.
Meanwhile, Rania Alnaji added a silver medal for Team Qatar after finishing runner-up in the women’s hammer throw by clearing a distance of 47. Oman’s Hana al-Touqi won gold in the event with a mark of 49.36, with UAE’s Wedad Robari (40.63) taking a bronze medal. Also yesterday, Qatar swimmers continued their fine show, notching up one silver and three bronze medals on third day of the Games. Qatar took silver in men’s 4 x 100m freestyle relay with a time of 3:35.07. The event was won by Kuwait (3:31.02) while Oman claimed bronze medal after clocking 3:36.15.
Mohamed Mohamed (men’s 100m butterfly), Kareem Salah (men’s 800m freestyle) and Yousef Abouelela (men’s 100m backstroke) secured bronze medals. Meanwhile, Qatar were beaten by Bahrain 90-77 in their Group A match in men’s basketball event.