Bahrain blaze to gold in women’s 200 m

Doha, Dec 12: Ruqaya Al Ghasara of Bahrain won a historic gold medal when she triumphed in the women's 200 metres at the Doha Asian Games on Monday. Despite a slow start, Ruqaya stormed through on the final bend to win in 23.19 seconds.

Guzel Khubbieva of Uzbekistan took silver in 23.30 seconds, while former champion, Susanthika Jayasinghe of Sri Lanka, was pushed in to third place in 23.42 seconds.

Ruqaya Al Ghasara, distinct in her Arab dress code with a hijab and long track pants, created history at the Asian Games in Doha on a cold and windy day at the Khalifa Stadium on Monday.

The Bahrain girl won gold in the women's 200 metres in 23.19 seconds, beating her much-fancied rivals, Guzel Khubbieva of Uzbekistan and Susanthika Jayasinghe of Sri Lanka.

Ruqaya was the slowest off the blocks, but caught up with both Guzel and Susanthika on the final bend and then pipped them in to win gold.

For Ruqaya victory was compensation after the 23-year-old could only win bronze in the 100 metres.

"Its an unbelievable feeling. I cannot describe it. Thank god for winning the gold medal. I was completely prepared.": Ruqaya Al Ghasara, Bahrain, Gold Medal, 200 metres.

Ruqaya believes her victory will be a huge encouragement to many muslim women who doubt their capabilities.

"I'm thankful for being a muslim. It's a blessing. My achievement today is a glory to Arab women, to the Arab world, to Islam in itself, to muslim women. Being conservative or wearing conservative clothes has actually encouraged me, it was not an obstacle. In fact quite opposite. It encouraged me and pushed me forward to make more efforts. Wearing a veil proves that muslim women face no obstacles. In fact, it encourages them to participate in this sport more and more. And I have achieved the greatest or a record this year by qualifying for the World Championship in Osaka.": Ruqaya Al Ghasara, Bahrain, Gold Medal, 200 metres.

Ruqaya may have the most conservative of looks, but there is nothing conservative about her ambition and goal.

Her idol is the American sprinter Marion Jones, with a medal in the Beijing Olympics being the ultimate aim.

Ruqaya is one step closer to her goal already - she will contest in World Championships at Osaka in Japan next year.

Ruqaya's talent was spotted when she was seventeen years old.

With able guidance from her Algerian coach, Ruqaya has now progressed in to being a complete athlete.

She is now the first Bahraini woman to win a gold medal in athletics in the Asian Games.

"Ruqaya is special. She has the quality for a sprinter, for a good, good athlete. The problem is Ruqaya start late? I have this problem, but I alter a little bit. Now she has good stretching, good force. Step by step I work on the objective.": Tabjine Noureddine, coach.

Ruqaya may have started slowly, but with her fierce determination to prove the sceptics wrong, Ruqaya can only inch closer to her final objective of an Olympic medal.

Bureau Report