Team Qatar’s male gymnasts Ahmed al-Dayani and Ahmed Nabil Mosa, who were in action in men’s sub-division five, competing in all the six apparatus, at the Doha World Gymnastics on Thursday evening couldn’t progress ahead but were appreciated by a strong home support for their performance.
While Mosa came up with his best in the Horizontal Bar returning a score of 12.500, to finish 48th, Dayani’s best came on Vault where he tallied 13.066 to be placed 78th. 
Their overall scores aside, it was a step forward for both the gymnasts given the experience they gained competing the world’s highest stage. 
“We are pleased with the performances though we have not qualified for the final stage,” said al-Dayani. “I think I performed well to some extent. There were some mistakes, but the last time I performed on all six apparatus was in Glasgow (2015 Worlds).
“This was my seventh time at a world championship, and I think I did a good job. I still have the aspiration to be among the best,” he added.
Egged on by a vociferous home crowd, al-Dayani admitted that it made him nervous. 
“Many of my friends and family members were among the crowd tonight. That made me a little bit nervous, but the experience that I gained from previous international events helped me,” he said.
The 25-year-old, who’s been in the sport for quite long, said he can’t imagine his life being without gymnastics. “It has been 18 great years. I’m addicted to gymnastics now. If I take one week away from gymnastics, I don’t feel well. It’s simply my life.”
On his teammate, the 18-year-old Mosa, al-Dayani said, “For him, this was only the second appearance at a world championship. I try to keep him calm and make him less nervous ahead of big events like this. He is a very good gymnast and has a good future.”
Mosa bettered his own showing at the venue where he also trains on a regular basis. “It was only my second appearance at the world championships and there was a little bit more pressure, with the home crowd and the fact that I was competing at the same place I train. I had expected to perform better than this. I made some mistakes, but I still performed better than I did last year in Canada (at the 2017 Worlds in Montreal),” he said.
“It’s an honour to be in the same team with the experienced Ahmed (al-Dayani). I learn many things from him. He is my idol and like a big brother to me,” he added.
The two national gymnasts were appreciated by officials of Qatar Gymnastics Federation, spectators, friends and family alike.
Team Qatar’s other member, Jana al-Kiki, will compete in the women’s qualifications today.
Al-Kiki was chosen by the Organising Committee to take the ceremonial oath at the opening ceremony, said she felt honoured and that it has been a great morale boost.