Fencers, swimmers do Oman proud as medals tally rises to 59

MUSCAT: On one of the most fruitful days for Oman at the ongoing first GCC Youth Games, the Sultanate athletes bagged a total of eight medals, including two gold, two silver and four bronze medals in the UAE on Monday.

Half of the eight medals were won by the national fencers with both boys and girls tasting success with two gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

The swimmers too joined the party for Oman as Meshal Al Kulaibi and Hilal Al Mashari claimed bronze medals in the 100m freestyle and 200m backstroke events respectively.

With eight more medals, Oman’s overall tally rose to 59, which include six medals won by the para athletes at the Games.

The 53 medals won by regular athletes include 16 gold, 12 silver and 25 bronze medals.

On Monday, it was the fencing competition where Oman excelled and brought glory in Fujairah.

Ahmed Kaskaas claimed the first gold in the cadet men’s Epee event while his teammate Said Al Shuaibi won the bronze in the same event. Ahmed then won his second medal of the day when he picked a silver in the cadet men’s foil competition.

Said Al Shuaibi and Ali Al Busaidi then added more medals to swell Oman’s kitty with a bronze each in the foil event.

The Omani girls also matched the performances of the boys as Jana Al Shariji clinched a gold medal in cadet women's Épée event while her teammate Salma Al Dughaishi won bronze in the same event.

Israa Al Siyabi then got another medal in the girls’ event, winning a silver in the cadet women’s foil category.

In the swimming competitions held in Abu Dhabi, there was further success for Oman swimmers as Meshal Al Kulaibi added one more to his kitty with a bronze in the 100m freestyle to his Sunday’s medal win. Meshal’s teammate, Hilal Al Mashari then won a bronze medal in the 200m backstroke.

Speaking about the results so far in the competition, Taha Al Kishri, Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) secretary general said: “Our participation at the first GCC Youth Games has been so far positive. We decided to send teams in 15 sports and our youth have delivered reasonable results so far.”

Al Kishry added: “We have won a total of 59 medals including six won by our para athletes. We are happy and will review our performances once the Games conclude on May 2 as we expect a few more teams and athletes to win medals.”