Qatar's 4x400m relay team reached the final for the first time in history at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Saturday.
The quartet of Abderrahman Samba, Yahya Ibrahim, Bassem Hemieda and Ismail Daoud clocked a national record of 3:00.15 secs to finish second in the heats. South Africa topped the heats in 2:58.81 secs, while Netherlands also advanced from the same heat with a season-best 3:00.23 secs.
Samba expressed delight at the team’s achievement, stressing that Qatar competed as a united group with a clear strategy to conserve energy for the final. He underlined the team’s determination to fight for a medal despite the tough competition. Samba had earlier won bronze in the 400m hurdles, the second of his career.
(From L) Qatar's Ismail Doudai Abakar, Qatar's Abderrahman Samba, Qatar's Bassem Hemeida and Qatar's Ammar Ismail Yahia Ibrahim react after the men's 4x400m relay heats during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Saturday. AFP
Bronze medallist Qatar's Abderrahman Samba celebrates on the podium during the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Saturday. REUTERS
