Sport

The first round of the Qatar TotalEnergies Open, which is hosted by the Qatar Tennis Federation on the courts of the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, began yesterday with the participation of the world top ranked players.Czech Katerina Siniakova (22) qualified for the second round by defeating Croatian Donna Vekic (28th seed) 7-5, 6-1.Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk (30) also advanced to the second round, after defeating US Caroline Dolehide (43) 6-3, 7-5.Belgian Greet Minnen (54) achieved an easy victory over the German Maria Tatjana (49) 6-1, 6-1, and Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova (19) defeated Bulgaria’s Victoriya Tomova (64) 7-6, 6-3.Ukrainian Lesia Tsurenko (37) qualified for the second round after a hard-fought win over Turkish Zeynep Sonmez (184) 7-5, 6-3.Rybakina cruises past Kasatkina to claim Abu Dhabi titleTop seed Elena Rybakina powered to a 6-1 6-4 win over Russian Daria Kasatkina in the final of the Abu Dhabi Open yesterday to lift her second trophy of the season and seventh overall.The 2022 Wimbledon champion began the contest on Stadium Court in typically dominant fashion to grab an early break, but seventh seed Kasatkina struck back with one of her own only to fall behind again in blustery conditions.Rybakina regained composure to go 5-1 up on the back of big serving as Kasatkina struggled for consistency and the 24-year-old Brisbane champion wrapped up the opening set in 25 minutes when her opponent sent a forehand wide.The pair had come into the contest having split their four meetings – all on hardcourts – and Adelaide runner-up Kasatkina showed plenty of fight to pull two breaks back in the next set with relentless baseline hitting and stunning winners.Level at 4-4, Rybakina turned the heat up to break the 26-year-old Kasatkina with a crosscourt scorcher and the Moscow-born Kazakh returned after a brief rain delay to secure the victory on serve.Both players will now head to Doha for the Qatar TotalEnergies Open, with Kasatkina set to face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in her opener today while Rybakina has a bye into the second round.“A tough week, especially the last matches, and tomorrow is already a match in Doha (for Kasatkina),” Rybakina said. “Hopefully we both recover and do well there and maybe play final there. “I want to thank all the fans who came to support us. It’s been an amazing atmosphere and especially to see the flags from Kazakhstan it really means a lot.”* * Reuters

Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino sunk two birdies on his final three holes to win the Qatar Masters and claim his first DP World Tour title by a single stroke ahead of France’s Ugo Coussaud at Doha Golf Club yesterday.Hoshino, who was in a three-way tie for the lead going into the final day, carded a four-under-par 68 to finish on 14-under overall, a shot ahead of Coussaud and two ahead of Scotland’s Scott Jamieson in third place.The 27-year-old made a nervy start, mixing two bogeys with three birdies on the front nine but rediscovered his touch after the turn, with a birdie on the 10th and consecutive birdies on the 16th and 17th holes to claim the $425,000 top prize.“I’m honoured to win at this wonderful tournament,” Hoshino said. “Of course I was nervous but I just tried to keep enjoying it.”Hoshino, who becomes the fourth Japanese to win a DP World Tour title after Isao Aoki, Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Hisatsune, was tied with Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard and Coussaud on 10-under heading into the final round.Hojgaard dropped off the pace early, with bogeys on the first and fourth and another after the turn seeing him sign for a one-over-par 73 in his closing round and end in a three-way tie for sixth place.Jamieson was the day’s big mover, charging up 15 places in the standings with six birdies and an eagle, offset by a single bogey to sign for a seven-under par 65 and 12-under overall.Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin also secured his first top-10 finish of the season. McKibbin started the final round just one shot off the lead but could only manage a closing two-under 70, making birdie on the two par-fives on the back nine.The 21-year-old Holywood Golf Club member takes home a cheque for €116,000, taking his earnings this season on the DP World Tour over €300,000.

For the fifth running year, QNB Group, the largest financial institution in the Middle East and Africa, is participating in sponsoring HH The Amir Sword Festival, which will be held at the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) from February 15-17.This year, QNB is sponsoring the feature race and finale of the festival, HH The Amir Sword race, a Gr1 for Purebred Arabians run over 2,400m. Some of the world’s best Arabians will battle for the coveted sword in the lucrative race, which boasts a purse of US $2.5mn, making it the most valuable race for Purebred Arabians in the world.This sponsorship coincides with the strategic and permanent partnership between QREC and QNB, which aims to contribute to the success of the prestigious Festival as the most important and prestigious horse racing event in Qatar and the region in general.The continuation of the partnership between the QREC and QNB Group serves to achieve the common goal of the sponsorship agreement and contributes to the success of the mega festival in terms of both the organisational and the sports aspects.This partnership between QREC and QNB Group is a true embodiment of the form of partnership, which adds to the success of major events of this calibre in Qatar, especially as cooperation has always been there between the two parties for several years.Each time the benefits are greater and the potential to exploit this cooperation gets stronger.This agreement between QREC and QNB was announced in presence of Issa bin Mohamed al-Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, and Abdullah Mubarak al-Khalifa, CEO of QNB Group, along with representatives of both sides and the media.Al-Mohannadi: Firmrelationship with QNBCommenting on this productive partnership, Issa bin Mohamed al-Mohannadi, QREC Chairman, said: “We have a strong and established relationship with QNB. This relationship is much more than just a partnership to contribute to sponsoring the Festival. We are pleased to continue this cooperation and benefiting from the common desire of the two parties to continue to our efforts to further enhance the remarkable standing of the HH The Amir Sword Festival on the world’s horse racing scene, especially with international horses running in several races of the Festival. I’d like to thank QNB Group management for their continued support for QREC and the Festival, and for their keenness to sponsor the HH The Amir Sword Race.“It is a demonstration of the leading role of QNB in supporting this sport, which is deeply rooted in our heritage and their constant dedicated efforts to be part of the biggest successes achieved every year in the Festival, which has become a unique event in the equestrian sport in general and horse racing in particular. Al Rayyan Racecourse will be home for the enthralling challenge among international and Qatar-based horse owners, trainers and jockeys.”Al-Khalifa: Celebrating horseSAbdullah Mubarak al-Khalifa, CEO of QNB Group, hailed the long-term partnership with QREC. “We are pleased to continue cooperation and enhance our long-standing relation with the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club”, he said, “This relation, in turn, fosters our commitment to sponsoring important events in the field of traditional sports in our Qatari society and the HH The Amir Sword Festival is the most important event on the agenda of local events of a global nature, which contribute to celebrating the standing of horses in our Arab culture and identity.”

Qatar Motorsports Academy’s drivers excelled in the sixth round of the Rotax Challenge held in Bahrain, with Saif al-Obaidli emerging champion in the Micro category. In the Junior category, Tamim Hassiba secured the third position, while Khaled al-Muftah finished fifth, Taha Hassiba took ninth spot in the Senior category. The Qatari team will next participate in the upcoming Rotax Challenge events at Yas Marina Circuit in the UAE.

Qatar’s Asian Cup final hero Akram Afif said “the team and people were behind me” after he scored a hat-trick of penalties in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Jordan to help his side retain their title.The livewire forward was named player of the tournament and finished as top scorer on eight goals for the hosts and defending champions in Doha. Afif held his nerve to convert from the spot three times against Jordan in front of over 85,000 fans at Lusail Stadium, which staged the World Cup final 14 months ago. The 27-year-old said he “scored because of the confidence my teammates had in me”.“It’s not about the technique or the angle, it’s about feeling that the team and people are behind me,” he said.Afif celebrated his goals by producing a playing card with his picture on it before the image flipped to an “S”. He later revealed that it was a tribute to his wife, who was attending a game at the stadium for the first time. “’S’ is the first letter of my wife’s name, she’s from Kuwait. Today’s match was her first in the stadium,” Afif said. “The cup will remain in Doha...We will tell our fans that the best is yet to come.”Afif plays for Qatari side Al Sadd and had stints at clubs in Belgium and Spain earlier in his career. He said he “would like to” have another crack at making it in Europe but admitted it was “difficult”. “It’s not an easy decision – there are so many factors at play,” he said. “It’s a question of fate. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.”Afif helped Qatar banish the painful memory of their 2022 World Cup flop on home soil by retaining the Asian Cup. They lost all three of their World Cup games and crashed out in the group phase, the worst record of any host in the competition’s history.But it was a different story at the Asian Cup, where Qatar retained their title despite replacing coach Carlos Queiroz with Tintin Marquez a month before the tournament began. “The coach worked hard with us,” said Afif. “You know the teams that we played against. This was not something easy.”Afif, who also played a prominent role in Qatar’s triumphant campaign in 2019, opened his 2023 account by scoring twice in the 3-0 Group A win over Lebanon in the opening match. He then struck the winner in the 1-0 victory over Tajikistan, a result which confirmed Qatar’s knockout stage spot with a match to spare. Afif was on target again in the Round of 16, scoring the winner as Qatar saw off a spirited challenge from Palestine.He was on top of his game yet again in the semi-final against Iran, scoring Qatar’s second with a thunderous effort as the hosts edged to a 3-2 victory. The final saw yet another wonder show from Afif, who scored thrice from the penalty spot - the only player to net at hat-trick at Qatar 2023 - to power the Maroons to their second AFC Asian Cup title.In emulating teammate Almoez Ali in winning both the MVP and Top Scorer awards, Afif took his involvement to 22 AFC Asian Cup goals since the beginning of the last edition (9 goals and 13 assists), constituting 67 percent involvement in Qatar’s goals in the two tournaments.Qatar’s Barsham named Best GoalkeeperMeanwhile, Qatar’s Meshaal Barsham was named the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament after playing a pivotal role in his side lifting the coveted trophy. The custodian, who celebrates his 26th birthday on Wednesday, started six of Qatar’s seven matches.Barsham, who plays his club football with Al Sadd SC, was rock-solid throughout Qatar’s campaign. He kept three clean sheets out of the seven matches Qatar played – having come on as substitute in the final group match against China.

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifah congratulated Qatar on creating history as the West Asians became only the fifth team to defend their AFC Asian Cup crown after defeating Jordan 3-1 in a pulsating Final at the Lusail Stadium on Saturday.“In their first ever final, Jordan were worthy opponents, and both finalists were outstanding from start to finish, producing riveting moments that will live on long in our memories, and we must praise the Qatar Football Association and the Jordan Football Association for their dedication to elevate the beautiful game at all levels. I am certain that the performances of both teams will serve to inspire the future generation of players, not only in their respective nations, but also across our great Continent.”Sheikh Salman also reiterated his appreciation to the Qatar Football Association, the AFC Asian Cup Qatar Local Organising Committee, and Qatari authorities for a spectacular tournament that will take its place as the most successful men’s flagship edition in history.“From the FIFA World Cup venues, the world-class infrastructure, the seamless connectivity, the absorbing atmosphere all across the city of Doha, and unrivalled hospitality from the people of Qatar, the AFC Asian Cup Qatar was unlike anything we have ever experienced or witnessed in the tournament’s proud history.“On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to convey a big heartfelt thank you to the Qatar Football Association, the Local Organising Committee and the Qatari authorities for their exceptional hosting capabilities and for delivering a tournament that will go down as the greatest ever Asian football masterpiece,” added the AFC president.“Qatar is undoubtedly one of the elite sporting destinations across the globe. Prior to the tournament, as hosts of the FIFA World Cup, expectations of Qatar were indeed high and understandably so, but I know I speak for everyone when I say Qatar have not just met those expectations, but far exceeded all our aspirations.”New Digital Engagement, TV Viewership, Spectatorship RecordsThe AFC president also paid tribute to the absorbing and vibrant atmosphere created by the passionate fans of Asian football. The world’s largest football community turned up in droves to rally behind the continent’s top 24 sides with more than 1.5mn supporters showcasing their fervour across the 51 matches, making the AFC Asian Cup Qatar the most-attended showpiece in history.Not only did the 18th edition of the tournament surpass the previous 1.04mn attendance record, but it also saw the nine world-class stadiums achieve an average of 73% capacity – a 13% increase from the best-ever showing set in China in 2004. It was also the second attendance milestone to be broken after 82,490 fans set a new opening match record when Qatar defeated Lebanon at the Lusail Stadium.At the same time, the preliminary digital engagement and broadcast figures have reaffirmed the AFC Asian Cup Qatar as the most appealing edition in history, with digital impressions crossing the 5.5bn mark and broadcast figures also poised to smash TV viewership records.Sheikh Salman said: “The AFC Asian Cup Qatar has firmly cemented its place as the most engaging in history so from the bottom of my heart, I would like to put on record my sincere appreciation to all our fans as well as our dedicated volunteers for showcasing their enthusiasm and breathing life into the competition through their unprecedented support.”Historic Performances by Asian TeamsTurning his attention to the pulsating action, Sheikh Salman also lauded the remarkable progress of Asian teams on the pitch. Four sides – Palestine, Syria, Indonesia and Tajikistan – reached the knockout stage for the first time – the highest number since the tournament transitioned from its round-robin format in 1972 – with Jordan reaching their first-ever final and Tajikistan emerging as the first debutants since Australia in 2007 to reach the quarter-finals.The AFC president added: “For several years now, we have placed great emphasis on the need to narrow the gap between the traditional powerhouses and the emerging teams. Across the 51 matches, the level of intensity and determination displayed by all our teams was evident for all to see. This was the driving force behind our decision to expand the tournament, to provide more Member Associations with the opportunity to compete at the highest level, and I firmly believe that the collective standards across Asian football are indeed strengthening.“Analysts and experts have been highlighting the exciting unpredictability of Asian football, but our teams have simply reinforced what the AFC has known all along, that there are no straightforward matches at this level and the outcome is never a foregone conclusion, firmly underscoring the high standards of the top-tier game in Asia.Sheikh Salman concluded: “Ultimately, the biggest victors were the entire Asian football family and our member associations, in particular, deserve our praise for their commitment to rise to the occasion and to produce the unrivalled moments that once again reinforced the rising standards of the Asian game. The AFC Asian Cup Qatar is undoubtedly our crowning moment.”

Jordan coach Hussein Ammouta said his side caved in under the weight of expectation in their first Asian Cup final as they were beaten 3-1 by hosts Qatar on Saturday.The home side retained their crown thanks to a hat-trick of penalties from Akram Afif at Lusail Stadium. Qatar took the lead in the first half and were the better team in the opening period, before Jordan equalised through Yazan al-Naimat’s smart finish.But Qatar and Afif hit back with two more penalties to leave the underdogs Jordan heartbroken. “I talked before the game about the mental aspect,” said the Moroccan Ammouta. “I told them to enjoy the game. It’s a final but I told them to enjoy it.”He added: “There was a big focus on the players and I was scared that the environment would have an impact on them. People can have good intentions but it can have an impact on them (the players). Their interactions with their families and on social media put pressure on them. It was clear. I am the coach but I can’t take their iPads and phones.”Despite defeat on the day, Jordan put themselves on the footballing map as they reached their first semi-final in the history of the competition. There they defeated South Korea 2-0 to reach their debut final.“We weren’t focused in the first half and we made mistakes. There were easy opportunities to score but we didn’t. The timing of the two penalties (in the second half) was harsh,” Ammouta said. “But I want to congratulate the players. They’ve gained confidence and opened horizons for the future. Maybe we can win in future tournaments. We have done well but we need to create the conditions to maintain this level and keep improving. We need to keep improving the players’ skills and also their physical condition.”

Rasmus Hojgaard climbed into a three-way share of the lead with a five-under-par third round of 67 at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters on Saturday.Denmark’s Hojgaard is 10-under overall, alongside France’s Ugo Coussaud and Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino, and the trio have a one-shot lead over Ewen Ferguson, Tom McKibbin and Niklas Norgaard. Coussaud and Hojgaard began the day four shots off the lead, and the Dane continued the form he showed in the second round, where he shot the lowest score on Friday to put himself back in contention after a disappointing one-over par opening round.Hojgaard had a flawless third round, hitting two birdies on the front nine and another three after the turn. “Most of the round was very solid today, I felt like I was pretty good out of the tee box, gave myself some good chances,” Hojgaard said. “I managed to keep it bogey-free so that’s a positive.”Coussaud made up for his two bogeys with seven birdies while Hoshino kept up his steady performance in Doha. He was two shots off the lead after both previous rounds, and a birdie on the 17th saw him card a three-under-par 69 to join the leaders.Haydn Barron started the round with a two-shot lead, but a disastrous front nine, including a triple bogey before the turn, leaves the Australian three shots behind going into the final day after carding a two-over-par 74.But 2022 Champion Ferguson seized the initiative to climb to nine under, only for Hoshino to quickly move to double figures.A hat-trick of birdies around the turn saw Coussaud hold a two-shot advantage at 11 under after 13 holes.However, a bogey at the 15th halved his advantage, and Hojgaard and Hoshino ensured they were alongside the Frenchman at the top with birdies at the penultimate hole for a three-way lead with 18 holes to play. It looked as though Australian Barron was continuing his momentum from the opening two rounds when he climbed to ten under after the first hole. Hoshino was in close quarters with an opening birdie and he was in leading group when Barron bogeyed the third and fourth, despite the Japanese dropping a shot at the latter hole as well.That left the door open for Hojgaard, Ferguson and Waring to join them at the top of the leaderboard at seven under, but Hoshino moved ahead with a gain at the seventh. However, Ferguson, who had to wait until the seventh to pick up his first shot of the day, went a terrific run of six birdies in eight holes to take the outright lead at nine under after 14 holes.Coussaud joined him at that mark on the back of a hat-trick of birdies from the eighth, only for Hoshino to move into double figures after gains at the ninth and tenth. He immediately gave the shot back at the 11th, which saw Coussaud take full advantage following a brace of birdies at the 12th and 13th.The Frenchman now held a two-shot lead, but he found trouble from the tee at the 15th to halve his deficit and Hojgaard wasted no time to reach double figures for the first time at the 17th hole.The Dane drained a 13-foot putt to sit alongside Coussaud at the top, but Hoshino joined the pair when he sank a birdie at the penultimate hole for the third day in a row.Hojgaard and Coussaud struggled off the final tee, but both managed to salvage par, while Hoshino slid a birdie putt by which would have given him a one-shot lead heading into the final round.“I had a very good start, two birdies, but the putter was quite hot today and felt I hit very good tee-shots as well,” Coussaud said.“I was never in too much trouble before 15, but I had a proper round and enjoyed it today.”Ferguson carded the joint-lowest round of the tournament with a flawless six-under-par 66 to sit one adrift alongside Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin and Denmark’s Niklas Norgaard.English pair Waring and Sam Bairstow are at eight under, while Barron battled back to join first-round leader Ashun Wu and Jorge Campillo one stroke further back.

Yang Hao of China won his second gold at the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024 at the Hamad Aquatics Centre on Saturday.After winning his third consecutive synchro world title with Lian Junjie on Thursday, Yang took the individual men’s 10m platform title with a total score of 564.05 from his six dives as China claimed their ninth diving gold in the Qatari capital.It was a first global individual triumph for Yang – who won two golds at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games – after he took world silver in 2019 and bronze the last two years.Reigning Olympic champion Cao Yuan was second on 553.20 with 18-year-old Ukrainian Oleksii Sereda earning his first major individual medal in third, totalling 528.65. Cao was playing catch-up early on after only earning 7.5s and 8.0s for his high-difficulty opening dive.With his second effort, Yao hit a handstand back triple somersault with pike to move up the leaderboard with one judge awarding him a perfect 10.In round three, Cao made a superb back three-and-a-half somersault with pike to roar into medal contention. Yang went even better with the same dive in round four, receiving two 10s and achieving a 100-point plus score to move further clear.Sereda and Mexico’s Randal Willars were the only men able to keep pace with the two Chinese in the first half of the final, but they were soon battling for bronze.Yang’s comparatively low-difficulty fifth dive left him with a lead of just 2.55 over Cao going into the final round.But he put gold beyond doubt with a stunning front four-and-a-half somersaults with tuck, earning three 10s from the judges in a dive score of 107.30 – easily the best of the final.Sereda all but secured bronze with his best dive of the competition, a back two-and-a-half somersault with two-and-a-half twists for 97.20.At 4.1, Willars’ final dive – a front four-and-a-half somersaults with pike – had the highest difficulty tariff of the final and near-perfect execution would have seen him overhaul Sereda. But the 21-year-old slightly over-rotated and had to settle for fourth place on 505.00.Chinese divers won nine of the 10 disciplines they contested in diving in Doha, finishing the event with nine golds and four silvers. Australia were next with two golds, two silvers and a bronze.Meanwhile, China finished a dominant first week at the World Aquatics Championships with more titles in artistic swimming to top the medal table with 16 golds out of 29.Cheng Wentao and Shi Haoyu retained their world title in the artistic mixed duet free event. Cheng and Shi had taken silver in the mixed duet technical event last weekend, and improved on that in Aspire Dome arena performing a routine on the theme of “Romeo and Juliet.”Their score of 224.1437 points was more than 15 points ahead of silver medallists Mireia Hernandez and Dennis Gonzalez of Spain. Bronze went to Mexico’s Trinidad Meza and Diego Villalobos.“Winning the gold medal at the World Championship on the Chinese New Year is indeed a great feeling,” Cheng said.Australia took the other gold on offer on Saturday as diver Maddison Keeney paired with Domonic Bedggood to win the mixed 3-metre synchronised springboard – a rare event in which China did not compete.

Striker Akram Afif Saturday scripted a fairytale performance for the ages with a hat-trick of goals as Qatar defended their AFC Asian Cup crown after a 3-1 demolition of Jordan in the final.Playing in front of 86,492 fans at the iconic Lusail Stadium, Afif converted three penalty kicks across two halves to help Qatar become the Asian champions for the second time in a row.With last night's heroic performance, Afif wrapped up the 24-team tournament with eight goals after exhibiting electric speed and match awareness in all the seven matches Qatar played.Qatar Saturday became the fifth country to win back-to-back AFC Asian Cup titles after South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Japan.The 27-year-old forward was Saturday declared the Most Valuable Player for his artistry in a trying semi-final against Iran before goal spree Saturday in the final against Jordan. Afif also won the Highest Scorer trophy.Qatar, who won the 2019 edition in the UAE five years ago, Saturday lagged behind in ball possession at 42 percent but demonstrated greater will to win after arriving with new coach Marquez Lopez just three weeks prior to the start of the tournament.Qatar stopper Meshaal Barsham, who stopped three penalties against Uzbekistan in their quarter-final win, was named the Best Goalkeeper. Barsham made a series of saves Saturday. Qatar also won the Fair Play Trophy.Afif converted his first penalty in the 22nd minute before Jordan equalized through Yazan Al-Naimat's smart finish in the 67th minute.Six minutes later, following a VAR review, Afif got the chance to score his second of the night in the 73rd minute. In injury time, Afif scored his third when another VAR decision favoured Qatar.After the final whistle, the Qatari players picked up Afif on their shoulders and then threw him in the air to celebrate their second successive Asian title glory."I would like to thank all Qataris. Congratulations to the coach and the fans. I can't really express what we feel but the coach worked really hard for us," Afif, who also scored from the penalty spot in the 2019 final against Japan, said Saturday."However, I want to tell the fans that there is more to come from us. I also would like to thank my teammates for having confidence in me to take the penalties. That gave me a lot of confidence for all three penalties. I think we deserved the win tonight," the Al Sadd star added.Qatar coach Lopez said Saturday: "I congratulate the Qatari people and players. We're so happy after winning this difficult game, the tension was high. Maybe we didn't play beautiful football today but everyone remembers the winner. I'm so happy for Akram, he deserved to win all the awards."Before the final kicked off, Iraq football legend and former AFC Asian Cup captain Younis Mahmoud unveiled the trophy.Qatar took the lead in the final when Afif was tripped inside the Jordan box in the 22nd minute by Jordan's Abdallah Nasib. The referee pointed to the spot kick which was easily converted by Afif.Perhaps fatigued from a draining semi-final against Iran, Afif started the clash slowly, producing a weak shot in the 9th minute, his first attack on Jordan goal. Shortly afterwards, al-Naimat produced a bullet from the edge of the Qatar box but his shot was palmed away by 'keeper Barsham.Jordan showed more intent with another attack when winger Musa al-Taamari slipped in a cross from the flank but his shot was collected in a slick manner by Barsham who beat Jordan's Ali Olwan tearing towards the ball.Seconds later Olwan was booked for rough contact after Barsham had collected the ball.After Afif's opening goal in the 22nd minute, Qatar maintained dominance with sharp moves in the first half. Soon after the half-hour mark, defender Lucas Mendes produced a snap-header off an Afif corner kick but the ball bounced in front of Jordan keeper Yazeed Abulaila and went over the crossbar.In injury time, Qatar's Mohamed Waad blocked a shot by al-Tamari from close range. At the hour-mark, Nizar al-Rashdan produced a bullet from the edge of the box but Barsham pushed the ball away for a corner. Seconds later, defender Yazan al-Arab managed a bicycle kick but Barsham remained alert to affect another save.In the 67th, Jordan equalised after al-Naimat received a long, loopy cross from the flank. He found space to aim with a crushing left-footed drive that sailed past Barsham.Thereafter it was Qatar's night as Afif made the most of two VAR decisions to seal his team's spectacular win. Afif scored his second goal after Mahmoud al-Mardi’s foul on Qatar's Ismaeel Mohamed. Jordan conceded their third penalty after goalkeeper Abulaila was judged to have tripped Boualem Khoukhi after a VAR review.

When: Saturday, February 10 at 6pmWhere: Lusail Stadium, LusailCapacity: 88,000Referee: Ning Ma (China)ODDSJordan win: 3/1Qatar win: 6/5Draw: 11/5PREVIOUS MEETINGSJordan wins: 6Qatar wins: 12Draws: 5ROAD TO FINALJordanGroup E: Beat Malaysia 4-0Drew with South Korea 2-2Lost to Bahrain 1-0Last 16: Beat Iraq 3-2Quarter-final: Beat Tajikistan 1-0Semi-final: Beat South Korea 2-0QatarGroup A: Beat Lebanon 3-0Beat Tajikistan 1-0Beat China 1-0Last 16: Beat Palestine 2-1Quarter-final: Beat Uzbekistan 3-2 on penalties (1-1 aet)Semi-final: Beat Iran 3-2ASIAN CUP RECORDJordanPrevious appearances: 2004, 2011, 2015, 2019Best performance: Quarter-finals (2004, 2011)FIFA world ranking: 87QatarPrevious appearances: 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992, 2000, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019Best performance: Winners (2019)FIFA world ranking: 58KEY STATS• Jordan have reached the Asian Cup final for the first time.• Qatar are defending champions and are playing in their second final.• Qatar’s Akram Afif has scored five goals in the tournament so far. Only Iraq’s Aymen Hussein has scored more (six). Yazan al-Naimat and Musa al-Taamari (both Jordan) and Hassan al-Haydos (Qatar) have three goals each.• Jordan goalkeeper Yazid Abu Layla has kept three clean sheets.• Jordan beat Qatar 2-1 in a friendly match in Doha in January, before the Asian Cup kicked off.

Qatar will be relying on ‘courage and determination’ to win the AFC Asian Cup final for the second time on Saturday when they face giant-killers Jordan, coach Marquez Lopez said on Friday.Defending champions Qatar are on a 13-match unbeaten streak after their stunning 3-2 win over Iran in the semi-finals on Wednesday. Jordan, coached by Hussein Ammouta, upset giants South Korea in their last-four clash on Tuesday to reach their first-ever Asian Cup final.A packed house of 88,000 is expected to watch the final at Lusail Stadium where Argentina lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy a little over a year ago.Qatar, who posted seven wins at the 2019 edition held in the UAE, have beaten Lebanon, China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Iran before setting up a final date with surprise finalists Jordan.Chief striker Akram Afif has delivered dream performances having netted five times in six matches including the goal of the tournament against Iran on Wednesday when he hoodwinked four markers to score with a boomerang shot from the edge of the box.Fellow forward Almoez Ali has scored two goals at crunch moments while 2019 Asian Cup winning captain Hasan al-Haydos has been inspirational on the pitch with three goals.Young goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham - who stopped three penalties in the shootout against Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals - is expected to brave Jordanian attacks on Saturday with similar gusto.“We are here with the same courage and determination, aspiring only to win. That’s what matters most to us,” Lopez said at the pre-final news conference. “We are determined to compete fiercely and play our best to win the match. Second place will not be enough – we aim to be the best in Asia,” the 59-year-old added.“I’m confident all my players are more than capable and deserving of playing in this tournament. I have always emphasised knowing each player’s strengths and how they can contribute. Every player has played a role in getting us to where we are now. This is a fundamental part of our philosophy,” Lopez said. “In the final, there will always be pressure, especially against a team that has performed well throughout the tournament. However, ultimately, competition drives us, and each of us aims to emerge victorious,” he added.When reminded that Jordan savoured three days of rest following their semi-final against South Korea on Tuesday, Lopez quickly admitted: “It was a short turnaround (for Qatar), with players having only two days to recover after the semi-final (against Iran). Rest and recovery were crucial, especially considering we’re facing a team we highly respect.”Coach Lopez expressed his gratitude to his in-form trio of Afif, Almoez and al-Haydos who has gone past Lionel Messi in the list of most international caps. The 33-year-old Qatari forward has played 184 games.“Players are not machines; they run and play hard. It’s normal for their performance to fluctuate. Iran made a comeback and almost scored, but we also had chances to score. No player can maintain peak performance for the entire 90 minutes, but we were giving our best to secure the win,” Lopez said.The Spaniard was also quick to acknowledge that Jordan coach Ammouta - who formerly managed Al Sadd in Qatar Stars League from 2012-2105 - has inside knowledge on Qatari players.“Ammouta is exceptional, having experience coaching in Qatar,” Lopez said.Ammouta, who played for Qatar SC in 2003, on Friday said Jordan remain keen to go for their first-ever title win. “We don’t need to explain how important the final match is, as both teams want to win a historical title. We prepare for the final as normal, without adding any more pressure on the players, and we hope to produce a performance that reflects our team level, and what we produced to reach the final. This match is very important, and may witness the first major title for Jordan football,” Ammouta said on Friday.“I’m very satisfied with our achievement. It was a personal challenge for me to take Jordan to the final and I have achieved what I aimed for. We will have a full squad despite some minor injuries but the players will be ready,” he added.When reminded about Jordan’s 2-1 win over Qatar in a pre-tournament friendly, Ammouta said: “Qatar are defending champions and playing at home, making them formidable opponents. It’s not easy to play against them. It’s not easy to achieve what they have done.”He added: “We played a friendly match (before the tournament) and it was challenging to secure the win against Qatar. Despite anticipating difficulty, we are all united in aiming to cross the finish line successfully. We aim to exceed expectations.”

Hassan al-Haydos is pleased Qatar have defied expectations and proved their critics by reaching the AFC Asian Cup final, with the defending champions to face Jordan at the Lusail Stadium on Saturday.Indifferent form coming into the tournament had raised doubts about Qatar’s ability to retain the title they won in emphatic fashion in UAE 2019 but al-Haydos and his teammates rediscovered their best at the right time. Marquez Lopez was parachuted in to replace Carlos Queiroz as coach just a month before the tournament, sparking criticism in some quarters. But the Spaniard’s impact has been immediate, leading Qatar to their second consecutive final.“A month before the tournament, no one expected that we’d reach the final and deliver this performance,” said the 33-year-old captain. “However, working together with the coach and federation, the team is able to reach this level because of the efforts and unity of everyone. I’m very proud to be part of this squad, of this generation of players and those who remained from the 2019 team. Maybe it isn’t as exciting as it was in 2019 but Asian football is transforming and matches will continue to get more difficult.”Qatar are now one match away from joining Iran, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Japan as teams who have defended the AFC Asian Cup title and al-Haydos is definite to play a prominent role, having already contributed three goals.“Being here and sitting here. I’m playing in the final, my team is playing in the final. Many thought we wouldn’t reach the final but we the players, coach, technical team and association - we were well prepared and here we are. The final match will be a difficult one, hopefully we can emerge triumphant.”

Salem al-Ajalin is confident Jordan have the defensive strength to stop Qatar when the two sides meet in the AFC Asian Cup final at Lusail Stadium on Saturday.No team managed to stop Qatar from scoring in their six matches en route to the final but the experienced Al Faisaly defender believes that Jordan will be the first.“We work in systems from the goalkeeper to the attackers, we all work together, the defence starts from the offence,” he said. “Yes, they have an excellent attack but we’re confident with the defensive structure that we have. The final match is always based on details and from a neutral perspective, it can hopefully be an excellent one from both sides. We’re proud to have reached the final. Hopefully we can produce a strong performance to make our Jordanian fans happy and proud of us.”Al-Ajalin made his international debut for Jordan in February 2010 but had to wait a long time before getting his second cap in December 2018 and now, at the age of 35, is a permanent fixture in Hussein Ammouta’s team.Having missed the 2-0 semi-final win over South Korea, al-Ajalin is determined to stamp his mark on the final, especially with the players’ families watching from the stands and the whole of Jordan rooting for the team. “We have everything we need in order to be ready, to recover. We’re not distracted by anything and are only focused on the match. It is very important to have your family around because such an achievement is an achievement for everyone and their presence in the stadium is sure to give us a lot of motivation,” said.

When Hussein Ammouta was appointed as Jordan coach midway through last year, no one expected the Moroccan to take Al Nashama to their maiden Asian Cup final. The early signs were not promising either. The West Asian side – who have before gone past the quarter-final of the continent’s marquee tournament –had lost at home to Saudi Arabia in their World Cup qualification group, before only managing a draw against Tajikistan in November.In the friendlies before Asian Cup Jordan were thrashed 6-1 by Japan, and even lost to Lebanon. However, they had beaten Qatar 2-1 and now the teams face each other in the Asian Cup final at the Lusail Stadium on Saturday.Jordan finished third in their group and scraped through to the knockouts, but emerged stronger with each passing match at Qatar 2023 to knock out heavyweights Iraq and South Korea. That was a triumph for Ammouta, who was heavily criticised when they finished 2023 without a win in seven games, which included six losses.Now Ammouta is one match away from leading Jordan to a maiden Asian Cup title and if he does, it will be the crowning glory for an individual who has spent the better part of his career - as a player and a coach - in Asia.Mousa al-Tamari, following the stunning 2-0 win over South Korea in the semi-finals, paid tribute to Ammouta’s ability to galvanise his players. “I must credit our coach, who emphasised the importance of enjoying ourselves. He instilled a winning mentality in us. “The tactical discipline instilled by our head coach was crucial. He instilled confidence in us to not respect our opponents too much, while denying them space to attack,” said al-Tamari.But it was not just the South Korea match in which Jordan impressed in as they started their campaign with a resounding 4-0 win over Malaysia in Group E.The southeast Asian side had no answer to Ammouta’s tactics, and the same applied to South Korea when the two sides met in the group stage.Jordan were seconds away from winning the tie, with an own goal helping Korea salvage a point. Their concluding group fixture ended in a 1-0 defeat to Bahrain but that came after a spot in the Round of 16 had already been sealed.The knockout stage is where Jordan really served notice that they were the real deal, with Ammouta pushing his players all the way as they edged Iraq 3-2 while a controlled performance resulted in a 1-0 defeat of Tajikistan in the quarter-finals.Against South Korea, Jordan produced yet another side to their game - going on the attack from the first blow of the whistle to leave Son Heung-min and his teammates gasping. Ammouta, again, showed his tactical acumen by admitting that the decision to go on the offensive was decided after carefully analysing Korea.“We agreed to start strongly, capitalising on the fact that South Korea had conceded eight goals in five matches. It was crucial to utilise our attacking abilities and seize the initiative to attack. We knew that our opponents would strike back, hence the focus remained on aggressive defensive tactics. However, it was our proactive approach and emphasis on attacking play that made us the more effective team. We displayed the mindset of champions, showing resilience and determination in every aspect of the game,” said the 54-year-old Moroccan.Having steered Jordan into a first ever Asian Cup final, expectations have soared of them going all the way but irrespective of what happens on Saturday, Ammouta’s place in Asian football history is assured.

QATARAkram AfifAfif has been in exceptional form, scoring five goals and providing three assists. His pace, skill and vision have created havoc for opposing defences throughout the tournament. The 27-year-old played a paramount role in helping his team lift the trophy five years ago, registering a record 10 assists, and will surely be fired up for another standout performance.Hasan al-HaydosAl-Haydos has played the skipper’s role to perfection with his technical prowess, exceptional vision and strong leadership qualities.The 33-year-old can score too, as stunningly seenin the group stage match against China, with further goals against Palestine and Uzbekistan. Qatar will be counting on their veteran talisman to lead them to victory again.Almoez AliUnlike 2019, Ali has not been firing in the goals at Qatar 2023 but there is no disputing the vital role he plays in the squad.The forward’s workrate is second to none, as he is equally adept in leading attacks and falling back to defend. More importantly, he scores when he has too - as seen in the semi-final win over Iran.JORDANMousa al-TamariThe only player in the Jordanian squad who plys his trade in Europe - with Montpellier SC in France - Mousa al-Tamari’s performances in Qatar 2023 have shown just why his services are so coveted, scoring three goals - including a sublime solo effort against Korea Republic in the semi-finals - and one assist.His direct play and dribbling speed make him a threat to any defence. The 26-year-old forward also works incredibly hard for his team, not only in pressing defenders but also tracking back to help out his own defence.Yazan al-ArabHas been a colossal figure for Jordan in the heart of their defence, forming one half of a solid centre-back partnership with Abdallah Nasib that not only earned a clean sheet against South Korea, but also denied the Taegeuk Warriors any attempts on target in their semi-final clash.Powerfully built and standing at 1.86m, al-Arab is a towering presence in both boxes. His pace on the ground is expected to be put to the test against the likes of Qatar’s Almoez Ali and Akram Afif, which is likely to be one of the more fascinating battles on the pitch.Yazan al-NaimatWith three goals to his name, Yazan al-Naimat has been a revelation in the tournament. Having scored in the Group E match against Korea Republic, the 24-year-old went up another level in the knockout stage - netting in the Round of 16 and semi-finals.The Al Ahli SC player possess a knack of finding space between defenders and more often than not, times his run to perfection, If al-Naimat is allowed the space to operate, Qatar could well pay a heavy price.

As the curtains rise on the 2024 edition of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, Fifty One East, Qatar’s favourite department store, proudly embarks on another year of unwavering support. For an impressive 27 years, Fifty One East has maintained its esteemed role as the “Official Retailer” for the prestigious golfing event, taking place from February 8 to February 11 at the renowned Doha Golf Club.The Commercial Bank Qatar Masters will be the fifth stop on the International Swing - and the last of five in the Middle East – before the Swing concludes in Africa, with the Magical Kenya Open, SDC Championship and Jonsson Workwear Open. It is crowned as a pinnacle in Qatar’s sports calendar and remains a source of anticipation for golf enthusiasts and sports aficionados. Once again, the iconic Mother of Pearl Trophy, presented by Fifty One East, will grace the challenging course as a symbol of excellence within the European Tour spectacle.Reflecting on the enduring partnership, Bader al-Darwish, Chairman and Managing Director of Fifty One East, expressed: “As we embark on the 27th year of our partnership with the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, Fifty One East takes immense pride in contributing to the legacy of this premier golfing event. Our commitment goes beyond retail, resonating with the spirit of excellence that defines this tournament. We look forward to another year of fostering community engagement, showcasing local talent, and elevating the experience for golf fanatics and spectators alike.”Commending the organizing committee’s efforts, he added: “A special acknowledgment is due to the dedicated organizers whose tireless work has transformed this event into a benchmark of professionalism within Qatar’s sporting landscape. As an industry leader, Fifty One East remains resolute in supporting our community’s growth and prosperity.”The enduring partnership between Fifty One East and the Qatar Masters extends its influence further, uniting with Rolex, the tournament’s “Official Timekeeper,” and Fnac Qatar, the “Official Technology Partner,” continuing their sponsorship. This year, Fnac Qatar returns to the Public Village and transforms it into a musical haven with the Fnac Music Lounge experience, featuring the latest instruments from the world-renowned brand, Yamaha. Visitors are invited to explore and experience the world of music as they try these instruments live at the lounge. Additionally, an innovative interactive screen will allow them to make on-the-spot purchases from Fnac.qa while benefiting from exciting exclusive deals, bringing the joy of music directly to fans. With strategically located branches at Lagoona Mall, Doha Festival City, and Place Vendôme, Fnac Qatar stands as the ultimate destination, seamlessly merging culture, leisure, and technology within the captivating realm of the Public Village.On the other hand, Toysaloona, Fifty One East’s toy store, will carve out a special space in the Public Village, offering engaging children’s activities, including colouring sessions, arts and crafts, trampolining, outdoor games, and more. Fifty One East takes immense pride in its association with this esteemed sporting and social event in Qatar, consistently supporting initiatives that foster community engagement and showcase local talent. The enduring synergy between this world-class tournament and Fifty One East remains a testament to a perfect match.

Australia’s Haydn Barron scored four birdies in his last five holes to take a two-shot lead into the third round of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at the Doha Golf Club (DGC) on Friday.On Friday, Barron added a flawless 67 to his opening 68 on the 7,532-yard layout to a halfway total of nine under par and joined the hunt for the title.The Australian, who came through the European tour qualifying school in November, stood two strokes ahead of countryman Harrison Endycott and Rikuya Hoshino of Japan, with first-round leader Zander Lombard and Niklas Norgaard another stroke back.“It was a good day. It got off to a bit of a slow start - nine pars in a row at the front - hitting really good shots and playing really well, just the putts were sliding by,” Barron said.The Australian turned 28 on Thursday and celebrated by moving one behind first-round leaders Ashun Wu and Zander Lombard after an impressive four-under-par 68.After starting with nine straight pars on Friday, Barron got on the birdie trail at the tenth, added another at the 14th before a birdie-birdie-birdie finish saw him come home in 31 to set the mark at nine under.“Hit one through the green on ten and chipped one close for my first birdie and then felt a little bit of momentum and rolled a couple in coming home there. It’s a beast of a golf course. You really got to strike it well, got to be in the fairway and sometimes just got to hit it into the middle of the greens and take your 60-70 footers if you are out of position,” said Barron, who arrived in Qatar on the back of a final round of 67 at last week’s Bahrain Championship and maintained his momentum with a pair of low scores.“So it’s definitely a course which requires a bit of wit and some smarts, and luckily (caddie) Matty (Miller) has been good on the bag and we left ourselves some good numbers.”Barron struggled to make an impact on the leaderboard, where the lead briefly inflated to seven under during the morning, before he finally got in the red numbers on the back nine.He had endured a brilliant par save at the sixth after several near-misses to card birdies on the front nine before he chipped to within four feet at the tenth to climb to five under.Rasmus Hojgaard, the highest-ranked player in the field at No 68, was in a tie for sixth, four strokes behind Barron, after producing a tournament-low 66 that featured an eagle and five birdies.The Dane leads a ten-strong group at five under, which includes English pair James Morrison and Sam Bairstow, French duo Clément Sordet and Ugo Coussaud, China’s Wu, Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin, Japan’s Keita Nakajima, Kiwi Daniel Hillier and South Korea’s Sung Kang.The four-time DP World Tour winner admitted the calmer morning conditions made scoring easier than his first round but he was still happy to capitalise on the opportunities he created.“Obviously the wind doesn’t blow as much in the mornings so it is a little easier to control the flight but again I spoke to my putting coach yesterday and I said it is small margins,” he said.“I couldn’t find the pace yesterday and didn’t hole any putts. Today I started to roll them early and it just makes a huge difference for the confidence out there. It wasn’t a big difference from yesterday, just a little sharper.”Højgaard registered a top-20 finish at this event last year when it was held in October but this time around the greens are playing firmer - something the 22-year-old is enjoying in the blustery conditions.“I do prefer tricky conditions like this where you do have to be on your game to make sure you set up some good chances,” he added. “I like this set up.”Pablo Larrazabal managed a back nine fightback as he turned fears over missing the halfway cut.After a one-under-par 71 on Thursday, the Spaniard was facing an early flight out of Doha when he made three bogeys on the front nine in the second round.Larrazabal is however a nine-time winner on the DP World Tour having claimed two titles last season and he demonstrated his champion mentality with five birdies on the way in, including three in a row from the 14th.That meant he headed into the weekend six shots off the lead and a second title in the Middle East – a decade on from his victory at the Abu Dhabi Championship – was firmly on his mind. “I am not here to make the cut,” he said after his second round 70 at Doha Golf Club.“I am here to try to win golf tournaments and from being outside the cutline to be six back (victory) is what I am thinking about.“I think I have a low one on this golf course. I did a low one before and I think tomorrow my mentality has to be to close the gap.“As I said, I am not here just to make cuts. Obviously making the weekend is great and to have the chance to climb the leaderboard but we are here to try and push to win trophies.”Larrazábal has made an encouraging start to the 2024 Race to Dubai, registering top-20 finishes in his first two starts in Dubai last month.The 40-year-old also boasts a good record in Qatar with three top 10s in his last six starts, strengthening his resolve he can emulate countrymen Jorge Campillo, Sergio Garcia and Alvaro Quiros by lifting the Mother of Pearl trophy.Leading 2nd-round scores(GBR & IRL unless stated/par 72)135: Haydn Barron (AUS) 68-67137: Harrison Endycott (AUS) 69-68, Rikuya Hoshino (JPN) 69-68138: Zander Lombard (RSA) 67-71, Niklas Norgaard (DEN) 68-70139: Ugo Coussaud (FRA) 71-68, Rasmus Hojgaard (DEN) 73-66, Clement Sordet (FRA) 68-71, Daniel Hillier (NZL) 69-70, Sam Bairstow 72-67, Keita Nakajima (JPN) 72-67, Wu Ashun (CHN) 67-72, James Morrison 70-69, Tom McKibbin 69-70, Kang Sung (KOR) 69-70.

By Sports ReporterDohaAfter two years of near misses, Chang Yani won her first women’s 3m springboard diving world title at the World Aquatics Championships Doha 2024 on Friday. Yani’s victory and mixed team artistic swimming title increased China’s gold medal tally to 14.Yani, who finished with silver in 2023 and bronze in 2022, topped teammate Chen Yiwen, giving the powerhouse Chinese team its eighth diving gold medal in Doha.Chen was the two-time reigning world champion and led the semifinals, giving her the prime last spot in the final. But Chang turned in five stellar dives and led all the way to finish with 354.75 points, with Chen settling for the silver at 336.60. The bronze went to South Korea’s Kim Suji at 311.25. Maddison Keeney of Australia and Sarah Bacon of the United States finished fourth and fifth, respectively.Later, China completed a sensational clean sweep of the mixed team gold medals following a fabulous free routine in Doha.China were in a class of their own as they captured the Mixed Team Free title in fantastic fashion, adding to their success in the mixed team acrobatic routine and mixed team technical. It is their sixth artistic swimming gold medal in total in the Qatari capital, underlining their current dominance in the sport.Japan and the United States of America both earned their second medals of the World Championships, sealing silver and bronze respectively.

The World Aquatics Masters Championships will shortly bring together some of the best masters athletes from around the world including a 100 year-old diver from Iran, Taghi Askar.Seventy-three years since diving to a silver and bronze medals at the inaugural Asian Games in New Dehli, Iran’s Taghi Askar will once again take to the springboard, this time at the World Aquatics Masters Championships in Doha at the age of 100.The oldest competitor at the championships, Askar will perform a dive before tonight’s Women’s 3m Springboard final at the Hamad Aquatic Centre to mark the two-week countdown to the world’s largest masters aquatics competition. Earlier this week Askar told World Aquatics that he had given away the sport as a forty-one-year-old but was returning to dive in Doha due to his love of the sport.“When I was competing at a national level the last championships I did was when I was 41 years old,” said Askar. “I achieved a gold medal at the national level, and after that, I said goodbye to the sport, but at least with a gold medal.”Askari’s international diving career commenced at the Asian Games in New Dehli at the very first staging of the competition which has grown from 489 athletes competing in six sports in 1951 to 11,935 athletes competing across forty disciplines at the 2022 edition. Asked about his thoughts of the evolution of the sport, Askar is quick to note that he has the same love that he had all those years ago as a teenager.“The first time I attended the Asian Games in New Delhi in 1951 the level of diving in Iran was very high and I achieved two medals,” said Askar. “But by the time the games were in Tehran in 1974 the Chinese swimmers had entered this beautiful sport and they started to improve by a lot - we just couldn’t catch them as we stayed at the same level we started at.”“For me, I have had a love of diving since I was a teenager until today. I have always loved diving. Nothing has changed between 1951 and now, except my performance!” As to advice for those competing at the World Aquatics Masters Championships in two weeks, or for those considering joining the championships at Singapore 2025, Askar tells World Aquatics there are two key fundamentals. “The only thing I want to tell you is about loving this sport and to keep yourself healthy. This can be a good motivation for you to attend these championships and different championships.”