28 Aug 2018
Jakarta, 28 August 2018. Qatar's long- and middle distance runner and Aspire Academy graduate Abubaker Haydar Abdalla won a bronze medal in the Men’s 800m race on Day 10 at the ongoing 2018 Asian Games taking place in Indonesia. Running on his 22nd birthday, Abdalla was leading the group as they turned into the home straight but was edged by eventual winner Manjit Singh of India and Jinson Johnson also of India who took silver.
Abubaker joins fellow Aspire Academy graduate, Ashraf Elseify who clinched gold in the Men’s Hammer throw on Sunday 26th August also at the 2018 Asian Games. Speaking after the race, Abubaker said , " l am happy with my achievement, I kept my promise and I dedicate this medal to all the people of Qatar. That race was really fascinating all along. The competition was intense towards the finishing line and I kept my control all the way and stayed amongst the leading pack right up to the end. I am happy with what I achieved and look forward to improving on this performance and achievement in the coming competitions as l build on my quest to set records and to win more titles looking in particular towards the IAAF 2019 World Championship in Doha, Qatar and the 2020 summer Olympic games in Tokyo. I kept my promise to be on the podium though I was aiming for better than bronze. I would like to thank the Qatar Olympic Committee, Qatar Athletics Federation and Aspire Academy for their support which has enabled me to be successful at this 18th Asian Games here in Indonesia.”