Kuwaiti Shooter Fehaid Al-deihani Wins First Gold Medal For Arabs In Rio 2016

Kuwaiti shooter Fehaid Al-Deihani won the gold medal Wednesday in the men's double trap competition of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janero, Brazil, by defeating Italy's Marco Innocenti in the final match. Al-Deihani, competing under the Independent Olympic Athletes banner, completed 28 points to capture the gold, while Innocenti earned the silver with 27 points, and Steven Scott of Great Britain clinched to the bronze with 26 points.

It is the third Olympic medal for the veteran Kuwaiti shooter, who has won bronze in the 2000 Games in Sydney, Australia, and another bronze in the 2012 Games in London, England. 

A proud officer in the Kuwait army, Deehani dropped to the ground and kneeled after reaching the final, then pounded his chest as he walked away. In the gold medal match, Deehani raised his arms in triumph after hitting the final two targets, then turned and again pounded his chest at the crowd.

Deehani was forced to take part in Brazil as a neutral as Kuwait is suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other leading federations such as FIFA, football’s world body, over government interference in sport. Deehani is one of nine competing as an Independent Olympic Athlete (IOA). He turned down an offer from the IOC to carry the neutral’s flag at last Friday’s opening ceremony, telling Kuwaiti media: “I am a military man and I will only carry the Kuwait flag. I cannot carry the IOC flag.” Deehani is the first independent to win gold at an Olympics.

 

SOURCE : IIK

Comments Post Comment

Leave a Comment

Submit