MUSCAT: Omani athletes continued to add sparkle to the National Day celebrations as Fatek Abdul Ghafoor Sanjoor Bait Jaboob claimed a brilliant bronze medal in the men’s high jump on Tuesday at the ongoing sixth Islamic Solidarity Games Riyadh 2025.
Newly-crowned 100m champion and Oman’s sprint star Ali Anwar Al Balushi raised hopes of a medal double as he stormed into the 200m final .
On Tuesday, Fatek delivered a gritty, composed performance in the high jump final to secure the Sultanate’s second medal in track and field events.
The Omani jumper cleared 2.13 metres, narrowly missing out on the gold that was ultimately shared by Ukraine’s Amir Nagaev and Türkiye’s Yasir Kuduban, who both topped the field with 2.15 metres in a dramatic joint victory.
Fatek’s bronze — earned through steady progression and immense competitive nerve — was celebrated warmly by the Omani contingent, especially given the emotional timing during National Day festivities.
“My ambition was gold, but every championship has its moments,” Fatek said after the final. “I fought hard, and I am proud to win this medal for Oman — for our leadership, for our people, and for everyone who believes in Omani sport.”
Al Balushi eyes double
Just 24 hours after electrifying the Riyadh track with a stunning 100m gold, Ali Anwar Al Balushi returned with authority — winning Heat 1 of the 200m in 20.88 seconds to book his place in Wednesday’s night final.
Ali’s time placed him comfortably among the top qualifiers, though the fastest mark of the heats came from Saudi Arabia’s Abdulaziz Atafi, who ran a sharp 20.60 seconds in Heat 3, setting the stage for a high-octane showdown for the medals.
In other track events, Mohamed Al Sulaimani exited the 800m heats despite a determined race, while in fencing, Jana Al Sharjiya advanced with an early victory before bowing out in the quarterfinals to Uzbekistan’s Sevara Rakhimova in an intense 15–9 battle.
