• Seraj Abdulrahim Al Saleem of Saudi Arabia competes during the weightlifting men's 61kg preliminary round at the Tokyo International Forum.
    Seraj Abdulrahim Al Saleem of Saudi Arabia competes during the weightlifting men's 61kg preliminary round at the Tokyo International Forum.
  • Saudi Arabia's Khalid Al Ghannam clears the ball against Germany during a men's football match in Yokohama. Saudi Arabia lost 2-3 to bow out of the competition from Group D.
    Saudi Arabia's Khalid Al Ghannam clears the ball against Germany during a men's football match in Yokohama. Saudi Arabia lost 2-3 to bow out of the competition from Group D.
  • Abdullah Al Rashidi of Kuwait shoots during the men's skeet qualification round at the Asaka Shooting Range in Tokyo.
    Abdullah Al Rashidi of Kuwait shoots during the men's skeet qualification round at the Asaka Shooting Range in Tokyo.
  • Ahmed Hafnaoui of Tunisia, 18, celebrates after winning the men's 400m freestyle gold in Tokyo. He was the slowest to qualify, but took a shock win and become the second swimmer to win gold for his country.
    Ahmed Hafnaoui of Tunisia, 18, celebrates after winning the men's 400m freestyle gold in Tokyo. He was the slowest to qualify, but took a shock win and become the second swimmer to win gold for his country.
  • Luka Plantic of Croatia, in red, exchanges punches with Odai Riyad Adel Al Hindawi of Jordan during the light heavyweight (75-81kg) bout at the Kokugikan Arena. Plantic won.
    Luka Plantic of Croatia, in red, exchanges punches with Odai Riyad Adel Al Hindawi of Jordan during the light heavyweight (75-81kg) bout at the Kokugikan Arena. Plantic won.
  • Libyan rower Alhussein Ghambour gets ready to kick off his attempt in the men's single sculls semi-final at the Sea Forest Waterway, Tokyo.
    Libyan rower Alhussein Ghambour gets ready to kick off his attempt in the men's single sculls semi-final at the Sea Forest Waterway, Tokyo.
  • Iraq's Mohammed Al Khafaji competes during the men's single sculls heat.
    Iraq's Mohammed Al Khafaji competes during the men's single sculls heat.
  • Daryl Homer of the US in action against Mohamed Amer of Egypt in the men's individual sabre competition.
    Daryl Homer of the US in action against Mohamed Amer of Egypt in the men's individual sabre competition.
  • Alzahraa Shaban of Egypt finished just outside her qualification round in the 10m air rifle women's event.
    Alzahraa Shaban of Egypt finished just outside her qualification round in the 10m air rifle women's event.
  • Egypt's Doha Hany competes in a mixed doubles badminton match with her unseen partner, Adham Hatem Elgamal, against China's Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong.
    Egypt's Doha Hany competes in a mixed doubles badminton match with her unseen partner, Adham Hatem Elgamal, against China's Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong.
  • Morocco's Ramzi Boukhiam paddles out during a surf training session at Tsurigasaki beach in Ichinomiya, Japan.
    Morocco's Ramzi Boukhiam paddles out during a surf training session at Tsurigasaki beach in Ichinomiya, Japan.
  • South Korea's Sim Jae-young, blue, and Morocco's Oumaima El Bouchti, red, compete in the taekwondo women's 49kg elimination round.
    South Korea's Sim Jae-young, blue, and Morocco's Oumaima El Bouchti, red, compete in the taekwondo women's 49kg elimination round.
  • Sarah Fraincart of Morocco competes in the women's single skulls.
    Sarah Fraincart of Morocco competes in the women's single skulls.
  • Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi, right, of Tunisia competes against Mikhail Artamonov, representing the Russian Olympic Committee, during the men's 58kg taekwondo competition.
    Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi, right, of Tunisia competes against Mikhail Artamonov, representing the Russian Olympic Committee, during the men's 58kg taekwondo competition.
  • Brazil's Ricardo Souza spikes the ball in the men's preliminary round volleyball match between Brazil and Tunisia. Brazil won 3-0.
    Brazil's Ricardo Souza spikes the ball in the men's preliminary round volleyball match between Brazil and Tunisia. Brazil won 3-0.
  • Fadwa Garci of Tunisia in action against Bolor-Erdene Batmunkh of Mongolia in the women's singles table tennis event. Garci went down fighting 5-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-6, 11-7 after winning the first game.
    Fadwa Garci of Tunisia in action against Bolor-Erdene Batmunkh of Mongolia in the women's singles table tennis event. Garci went down fighting 5-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-6, 11-7 after winning the first game.
  • Kuwait's Abdulrahman Al Fadhel rests after the men's single sculls heats.
    Kuwait's Abdulrahman Al Fadhel rests after the men's single sculls heats.
  • Bahrain's Hasan Al Samahiji jumps to shoot during the men's preliminary round handball match between Sweden and Bahrain. Sweden survived a scare to win 32-31.
    Bahrain's Hasan Al Samahiji jumps to shoot during the men's preliminary round handball match between Sweden and Bahrain. Sweden survived a scare to win 32-31.
  • The men's heavyweight competition sees Abdelhafid Benchabla of Algeria, right, in action against Sanjar Tursunov of Uzbekistan.
    The men's heavyweight competition sees Abdelhafid Benchabla of Algeria, right, in action against Sanjar Tursunov of Uzbekistan.
  • Algeria's Kamel Ait Daoud, left, and Sid Ali Boudina compete in the lightweight men's double sculls heats.
    Algeria's Kamel Ait Daoud, left, and Sid Ali Boudina compete in the lightweight men's double sculls heats.

Sport

Olympics

Today at the Olympics: the Mena athletes to watch on day two in Tokyo

UAE's Saif Bin Futais in action at the Games on Sunday

Matthew Kynaston
Matthew Kynaston

July 24, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

The Tokyo Olympics is under way and we witnessed some incredible performances on the opening day of the Games.

The action continues in Japan on Sunday. Below are the pick of the athletes in action from the Mena region. The athletes who were in action on the first day can be seen here.

Artistic Gymnastics

Ariake Gymnastics Centre

Egyptians Zeina Sharaf and Mandy Mohamed will be on the Balance Beam in the evening session.

Badminton (women’s, men’s, mixed doubles and singles)

Musashino Forest Sport Plaza

Another busy day today in Chofu, as the badminton continues with morning and evening Group Play stages.

Israel’s Ksenia Polikarpova is facing the hugely popular PV Sindhu (ranked seventh in the world) from India. Egyptian Doha Hany is going to see if she can cause an upset, taking on world No2, China’s Yu Fei Chen.

Hany is then back in the action in the first game of the evening session with Adham Hatem Elgamal as they take on South Korea’s YuJung Chae and Seungjae Seo - in the mixed doubles. The Korean pair are ranked sixth in the world.

Iran's Michael Rostampour during a men's basketball practice at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Iran's Michael Rostampour during a men's basketball practice at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Basketball (men’s)

Saitama Super Arena

Iran will be pitted against the Czech Republic in the opening game of basketball, as men’s preliminary rounds get underway. This is Iran’s third ever appearance at the games and the first since Beijing 2008.

Beach Volleyball (women’s and men’s)

Shiokaze Park

Two Mena teams will be in action during the afternoon session. Morocco’s Mohammed Abicha and Zouheir Elgraoui take on the world ranked 5, Polish pairing, Michal Bryl and Grzegorz Fijalek. This is followed immediately by Qatari double Younousse Cherif and Tijan Ahmed (ranked 13) who are facing the Swiss Adrian Heidrich and Mirco Gerson.

Boxing - various preliminaries

Kokugican Arena

A lot of Mena talent to look out for on day two of boxing. In the morning session we will see 2019 African Games gold medalist Roumaysa Boulalam of Algeria against Jutamas Jitpong of Thailand in the women’s fly (48-51kg).

Then, another gold medalist from the 2019 African Games, Abdelhaq Nadir from Morocco will be fighting Mauritian Louis Richarno Colin in the men’s light (57-63kg) class.

In the evening session look out for Jordan’s Obada Mohammad Alkasbeh and Odai Riyad Adel Alhindawi in the men’s light and light heavy classes respectively.

Canoe Slalom

Kasai Canoe Slalom Centre

Celia Jodar, representing Morocco, will be having her first and second run in the women’s kayak.

Road Cycling - women’s road race

Fuji International Speedway

Hot favourite to win is Dutchwoman Anna van der Breggen, however we will be keeping an eye on Israel’s Omer Shapira, the only woman racing from the region, wearing bib number 54.

Equestrian - dressage individual

Equestrian Park

Look out for Morocco’s Yessin Rahmouni riding ‘All At Once’ in the men’s dressage individual grand prix.

Football - men’s

Various locations

Having held Spain to a goalless draw, Egypt’s men will be hoping to pick up at least another point against Copa America 2021 champions, Argentina.

Saudi Arabia will be hoping they can bounce back after their 2-1 defeat to Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday when they take on Germany.

Rowing

Sea Forest Waterway

Having successfully progressed in the repechage, Saudi Arabia’s Husein Alireza will be rowing in the quarter-finals of the men’s single sculls, as will Mohammed Al Khafaji from Iraq.

In the semi-finals of the men’s single sculls, Alhussein Ghambour from Libya and Abdulrahman Alfadhel from Kuwait will be competing in the same race.

Meanwhile in the women’s single sculls, Qatar’s Tala Abujara, Sudan’s Esra Khogali and Sarah Fraincart from Morocco will all be pushing for their place in the finals.

Sailing

Enoshima and Kamakura

Israel’s Katy Spychakov is looking good for a medal in the RS:X windsurfing. Meanwhile countryman, and former youth sailing world champion, Yoav Cohen will be hoping to cause an upset this year. Look out too for 2017 African Championship gold medalist Hamza Bouras.

Saif Bin Futtais. Courtesy Aletihad
Saif Bin Futtais. Courtesy Aletihad

Shooting

Asaka Shooting/ Shotgun ranges

The UAE’s Saif Bin Futais will be among the field in the men’s skeet. He and Egypt’s Azmy Mehelba will be looking for at least a top 10 finish.

Swimming

Tokyo Aquatics Centre

A lot happening in the pool on day 2, medals will be up for grabs in the women’s 400m individual medley, 400m individual medley, and 4 x 100m freestyle relay as well as the men’s 400m freestyle.

There are also the opening heats for various events. Look out for Libya’s Audai Hassouna and Yemen’s Mokhtar Al-Yamani in the men’s 200m freestyle.

Surfing

Tsurigasaki Surfing Beach

Moroccan Ramzi Boukhaim and Anat Lelior from Israel are the two representatives from the region hitting the waves in the first ever Olympic surfing competition.

Table tennis

Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium

Egypt’s Dina Meshref and Ahmed Saleh have made it through to the second round of table tennis.

Taekwondo

Makuhari Messe

There are several competitors from the region competing in the women’s -57kg and men’s -68kg weight classes. The day will open with Iranian born Rio 2016 bronze medalist Kimia Alizadeh Zenoorin representing the Refugee Olympic Team who has been drawn against her compatriot Nahid Kiyani Chandeh who will be representing Iran in a qualification contest.

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin

Director: Shawn Levy

Rating: 3/5

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Updated: July 26, 2021, 3:13 AM