Bahrain Triathlon team qualifies for World Championship

Manama, Jan. 28 (BNA): Bahrain National Triathlon Team was the winner of the first leg of the Triple Crown Ironman Championship which was held in Dubai. Bahrain's team qualified for the World Championship to be held in Barcelona. "The awards the Bahraini teams received at the closing ceremony of the Triple Crown Ironman Championship reflects the advanced level our Bahraini youth have reached thanks to the unwavering and support from HM the King," said HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Representative of His Majesty the King for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee. HH Shaikh Nasser's remarks came in tribute to the honours received by the Bahraini teams who participated in the Triple Crown Ironman Championship during the event's closing ceremony, where HH was rewarded for winning first place amongst GCC participants and fifth overall. HH Shaikh Nasser's performance enabled him to be recognised as the fastest in the Gulf region, setting a new record. Bahraini athlete Maryam Abdulrahman Turki was rewarded as the fastest female in the Gulf region after finishing the race in 6:20 minutes, while the National Guard Team was recognised during the ceremony as the first team in their category and Al Shabab Club Team received an accolade for finishing amongst the top three in their category. "The Dubai event witnessed a great turnout, and very extraordinary moments, confirming that keenness of all athletes to be part of it. The Championship attracted a large number of young athletes from Bahrain, who occupied top places. This asserts the triathlon sport's popularity extent in the region, and it gives us motivation to continue our work to extend its outreach," HH Shaikh Nasser highlighted, revealing: "The race has achieved tremendous success thanks to the great organisation, and this isn't something new from UAE, the country which has always presented any sporting event in extraordinary fashion". HH Shaikh Nasser hailed the National Guard Team's performance in the event after coming first in their category. From his part, HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of West Asian Athletics Federation, President of Bahrain Athletics Association, congratulated HH Shaikh Nasser on the occasion of his achievement in the Triple Crown Ironman Championship. "The Bahrain National Team's participation in the event came as part of the strategy designed by HH Shaikh Nasser, which aims at maintaining Bahrain's presence in top international events," HH Shaikh Khalid said, expressing happiness at taking part in the Championship. Bahrain Endurance 13 Team's athletes Javier Gomez and Daniela Ryf won the men's and women's category respectively in the event. Gomez completed the race in 3:42:21 seconds, while Ryf stormed to victory in 04:01:09seconds. Both expressed extreme happiness at their achievements. "It is very important for me now to continue maintaining the same work I started as there are another two legs," said Ryf, while Gomez asserted: "It was a tough competition. The challenge was high, but the atmosphere surrounding the event was splendid. The win had an extraordinary different taste."