Gold rush continues as UAE athletes bag 10 more medals

The UAE pushed past peers with a rich haul of 10 gold, 12 silver and 17 bronze medals in the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
The UAE ended the day with an overall tally of 12 gold, 14 silver and 19 bronze medals after starting with two apiece in each category. At 9.30pm, it wasn't immediately known in which position has the UAE finished.
Two gold medals and a bronze came in roller-skating events. Arif Hassan Al Bolushi bagged the gold medal in the 500m race. He had been training for close to a year and said his hard work had paid off.
"This Games being held here is a great opportunity for someone like me. I am getting to meet people and athletes from all over the world. This is helping to develop confidence in people like me. I am very happy with the support from my leadership and the government," the 27-year-old told Khaleej Times after his victory.
For Arif, his first participation at the Games has turned out to be great learning curve.
"It was difficult but rewarding one. It's difficult to control your speed on the turns. You raise your speed on straight path but then when it comes to the corners it was tricky situation to handle," Dubai-based athlete said.
Arif said that the win has raised his level of passion for the sport of skating. "I love to do skating. I feel good when I do so. This is my passion."
And now he is looking forward for more medals. "I should take part in more competitions. I want to win more medals for my country. Wherever there is an opportunity, I want to participate," Arif said, adding that his parents and four siblings were happy for him. "I have made my parents, siblings and my country proud."
Another gold winner was Saif Jassim Al Balooshi who won 30-metre slalom. "I recently took to slalom. Its bit tricky but I did it," a beaming Saif said. The athletes proved mettle in athletics, swimming, basketball, judo, cycling and more events on a day when 20 events were held in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Nation's pride Hamda Ali Al Hosani completed her 200-metre athletics race in 32.14 seconds to clinch gold and Momena Shirdal took bronze. Teenager Khaled Al Barguthi swam to 50-metre freestyle gold whereas Awadh Al Ketbi stood second. Maitha Murad and Ahmed Helal picked gold and Marwan Al Zaabi bronze in unified bowling. There were two gold medals in unified basketball and traditional team events for women. Yousef Jifri-Santiago Fraser pair won tennis gold. In cycling, Micah Hambleton secured silver and Asmaa Al Blooshi bronze in separate events. Salem Al Mazrouei upheld the national flag in judo to wrap up a successful day for the UAE.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com