Doha: Team Bahrain made a strong start to the 4th Gulf Cooperation Council Games currently held in Qatar, securing six medals on the opening day of competition, including two gold, three silver, and one bronze medal.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Taekwondo delivered Bahrain's first gold medals of the Games, with Muath Ibrahim winning gold in the men's under-58kg category and Fatima Sadiq Kulawad securing gold in the women's under-49kg category, marking Bahrain's first women's gold medal of the tournament. Abdullah Al Hiddi added a silver medal in the men's under-80kg category.
At Hamad Aquatic Centre in Aspire Dome, Bahraini swimmers secured three medals amid strong competition. Robert William won silver in the men's 800m freestyle after recording 8:14.21 minutes, while Saud Ghali claimed silver in the 200m individual medley with a time of 2:09.77 minutes. Michael Vitalievich added a bronze medal in the 50m freestyle after recording 22.85 seconds.
Bahrain's men's 3x3 basketball team also opened its campaign with two victories from three matches in the preliminary round. Bahrain defeated Saudi Arabia 16-13 before overcoming Kuwait 21-10. The team later lost to hosts Qatar 21-15 and will face the UAE on Wednesday in a decisive match for qualification to the semi-finals.
The women's 3x3 basketball team delivered two consecutive victories in the preliminary round, defeating the UAE 18-9 and Saudi Arabia 17-12 to secure qualification to the semi-finals. Bahrain will face Kuwait on Wednesday for a place in the final.
In table tennis, Bahrain secured a 3-1 victory over hosts Qatar in a match described by the team as highly competitive, reflecting the development of Bahraini table tennis in recent years and boosting hopes of advancing to the later stages of the competition.
In billiards, Bahraini brothers Haider and Hussain Ali Yaqoob delivered competitive performances in the 10-ball singles event. Despite exiting the competition, the pair demonstrated positive technical levels and came close to advancing further, reflecting the development of the sport in Bahrain ahead of the doubles competition.
Bahrain's participation in the second day of the GCC Games will continue on Wednesday across several sports and competitions.
In table tennis, Bahrain will face Saudi Arabia in the teams competition before Rashid Sanad, Rayan Rashid, Mohammed Abbas, and Dana Al Khayat compete in the mixed doubles quarter-finals.
In fencing, Abdulkarim Saad, Ali Al Omairi, and Hamad Al Attawi will compete in the individual foil event.
At Hamad Aquatic Centre, Robert William and Sayed Ahmed Abdullah will compete in the 400m freestyle, followed by Abdullah Khalid and Saud Ghali in the 50m breaststroke. Abdullah Khalid will also compete in the 100m freestyle, while Ahmed Abdulnabi and Ahmed Suhail will participate in the 200m backstroke. Bahrain will conclude its swimming participation with the 100m freestyle relay event.
In taekwondo, Abdullah Al Doseri will compete in the under-68kg category. In boxing, Omar Ismail will compete in the under-60kg semi-final, followed by Ali Omar in the under-75kg semi-final and Rashid Waheed in the under-80kg semi-final.
At Al Gharafa Sports Club Hall, Bahrain's women's 3x3 basketball team will face Kuwait in the semi-finals, while the men's team will meet the UAE in a decisive preliminary-round match.
Meanwhile, Bahrain will also participate in the equestrian team show jumping event at the Qatar Equestrian Federation arena and in the 10-ball billiards doubles competition through brothers Hussain and Haider Ali Yaqoob at the Qatar Billiards and Snooker Federation venue.