Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Wednesday, Mar 25, 2026

Abdulghani clinches first gold for Saudi Arabia in Gulf Games

Abdulghani clinches first gold for Saudi Arabia in Gulf Games

Ali Abdulghani grabbed Saudi Arabia’s first gold medal in the 3rd Gulf Games, which kicked off in Kuwait on Monday. He emerged tops in the javelin throw by hurling a distance of 71.15 meters.
The Saudi stars who sparkled on the first day of the event also included sprinters Abdullah Abkar, Mohammed Daoud Tolo, and Mazen Al-Yassin, who won silver medals, from among a contingent of over 250 Saudi athletes who are participating in the Games.

Female sprinter Mizna Al-Nasser won the bronze medal in the 10,000-meter race with a time of 45:32 minutes. Mizna’s bronze was the first medal for the Kingdom in the Games, in which female athletes are competing for the first time.

In the men’s 100-meter race, the silver went to Saudi sprinter Abdullah Abkar with a time of 10.21 seconds, while sprinter Mohammed Daoud came in fourth in a time of 10.32 seconds.

Mazen Al-Yassin bagged the silver medal by finishing second in the men’s 400-meter race with a time of 45.83 seconds.

Mohammed Daoud Tolo claimed silver in the shot put with a throw of 20.49 meters, while Hammoud Al-Alwani took bronze in the long jump by clearing a distance of 7.15 meters.

Female athlete Roaa Al-Sulaimani finished fifth in the 100-meter hurdles for women with a time of 18.83 seconds and in the women’s 100-meter race, Saudi Arabia’s Olympic runner Yasmeen Al-Dabbagh finished fifth with a time of 12.90 seconds while Lujain Al-Hamid came in the seventh position with a time of 13.72 seconds.

Saja Jalal finished sixth in the women’s shot put with a distance of 6.84 meters. She also came fifth in the long jump with a leap of 3.98 meters.

In the futsal competitions, the Saudi men’s team clinched a 3-1 win over Bahrain while the women’s team lost to Bahrain 4-1 in their opening matches.

The third Gulf Games were scheduled to begin on Friday, May 13, but was postponed for three days due to the death of UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan. The Games will run through until the end of May at a dozen venues in Kuwait.

Monday’s events included athletics for men and women at Ahamad Al-Rashdan Track and Field in Keifan area; Futsal and basketball at Sheikh Saad Al-Abdallah complex in Sabah Al-Salem area in addition to shooting training at Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex.

In the second edition of the Gulf Game, which was held in Dammam in 2015, Saudi Arabia emerged the champions with 115 medals, including 57 gold, 35 silver and 23 bronze.

Around 1,700 athletes from six GCC nations are competing in the Gulf Games in 16 disciplines including handball, volleyball, basketball, futsal, swimming, athletes, shooting, karate, judo, tennis, cycling, ice-hockey, table tennis, padel and e-sports.

Women are competing for the first time in seven sports, including futsal, e-sports, athletics, cycling, 3x3 basketball, padel and table tennis.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Saudi Arabia Expands Regional Trade Links by Opening New Land and Sea Routes to UAE
World Economic Forum Delays Saudi Conference as Regional Conflict Disrupts Global Agenda
Saudi Arabia and UAE Signal Potential Entry into Iran Conflict if Critical Infrastructure Is Targeted
Global Firms Accelerate Expansion into Saudi Arabia as Economic Reforms Gain Momentum
Global Labour Pressure Mounts as ILO Faces Calls to Reject Saudi Bid to Dismiss Migrant Worker Complaint
Gulf Powers Move Closer to Entering Iran Conflict as Regional Pressure Intensifies
Saudi Arabia Breaks Ranks with Regional Allies Over Response to Iran Escalation
Saudi Arabia Moves Closer to Direct Role as Iran Conflict Intensifies
World Economic Forum Postpones Jeddah Meeting Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
Saudi Crown Prince Reportedly Urges Trump to Sustain Military Pressure on Iran
Trump to Deliver Keynote Address at Saudi-Backed Investment Summit in Miami Beach
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Press Ahead With Energy Agreements Despite Regional Conflict
Can Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu Port Replace Hormuz? Capacity Limits Test Critical Oil Lifeline
Saudi Arabia Detects Ballistic Missiles as Regional Tensions Escalate in Gulf
Saudi Aramco Reduces Oil Shipments to Asia for Second Consecutive Month
Saudi Aramco Reduces Oil Shipments to Asia for Second Consecutive Month
Saudi Arabia and UAE Push Ahead With Major Deals Despite Iran-Related Uncertainty
Formula One Cancels Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
Pakistan Signals Strategic Realignment Toward Saudi Arabia Amid Regional Tensions
Saudi Arabia Cuts Oil Shipments to Asia as Regional Conflict Disrupts Key Export Routes
Saudi Arabia Moves to Contain Regional Escalation as Houthis Signal Readiness to Join Conflict
Saudi Arabia Signals Independent Nuclear Strategy Unaffected by Iran Tensions
Saudi Arabia Signals Independent Nuclear Strategy Unaffected by Iran Tensions
Egypt Reaffirms Strong Support for Saudi Arabia as Sisi Condemns Iran’s Gulf Attacks
Saudi Stocks Close Higher as Tadawul Index Gains 0.55% on Broad Sector Strength
Iran Fires Ballistic Missiles Toward Riyadh as Gulf Conflict Intensifies
Barcelona Midfielder Marc Casadó Attracts €40 Million Interest from Saudi Clubs
Strait of Hormuz Tensions Rise as Saudi Arabia Opens Key Air Base to US Forces
Saudi Arabia Confronts Strategic Turning Point as Iran Conflict Redefines Regional Alliances
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Missile as Two Others Land in Remote Area Without Casualties
Saudi Expulsion of Iranian Military Attaché Raises Doubts Over Fragile Riyadh–Tehran Rapprochement
Saudi Arabia’s Strategic East–West Pipeline Gains Global Attention as Energy Routes Face Growing Risks
Iran Reportedly Reduces Strikes on Saudi Arabia Amid Concerns Over Strong Retaliation
Saudi Arabia Criticises Israeli Strikes in Southern Syria Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Egypt and Saudi Arabia Warn Iran’s Actions Threaten Stability Across the Gulf
Egypt and Saudi Arabia Warn Iran’s Actions Threaten Stability Across the Gulf
Saudi Arabia Unveils Comprehensive 2026 Roadmap to Streamline Company Formation
Saudi-UAE Tensions Reveal Emerging Rivalry at the Heart of Gulf Power Dynamics
Saudi Arabia Launches Gulf Maritime Support Initiative to Safeguard Shipping
Saudi Arabia Expands US Military Access as UAE Braces for Prolonged Iran Conflict
Saudi Arabia Expels Iranian Diplomats Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
Saudi Arabia’s Edarat Wins Major Data Centre Deal with Regional Bank
Iran Intensifies Gulf Offensive as Saudi Arabia Intercepts Dozens of Drones
Regional Powers Hold Security Talks as Turkey Seeks New Strategic Pact
Asian Refiners Urge Saudi Arabia to Revise Oil Pricing Mechanism Amid War-Driven Volatility
Gulf States Weigh US Base Access and Military Alignment as Iran War Intensifies
IRGC Claims Strikes on Israel, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as Conflict Widens
Remains of Fallen Soldier Repatriated Following Death in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Multiple Drones Amid Continued Iranian-Linked Attacks
Iran Tensions Challenge Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Shift to Red Sea Oil Exports
×