Qatar Sport

Doha: Germany's Christopher Klasener delivered a sensational victory in the CSI5* 155 cm Jump-Off at the third round of the HH The Father Amir's Prix at Al Shaqab yesterday, edging out world number two Scott Brash to claim the biggest win of his career. Riding Popeye vd Bisschop, the 32-year-old produced a blistering clear jump-off in 35.92 seconds in the 1.55m class, a time that proved untouchable even for Brash, who settled for second aboard Hello Chadora Lady in 36.53 seconds. Sheikh Talal bin Khalid Al Thani, Assistant Director of H H The Father Amir's Prix, presents the winners medal to Germany's Christopher Klassner, who won the CSI5* 155cm jump-Off. British rider Scott Brash came second, while Switzerland’s Nadja Peter Steiner completed the podium. Switzerland’s Nadja Peter Steiner completed the podium with Clearround il Mondo in 38.46 seconds. The result marked a breakthrough moment for Klasener, ranked 588th in the world, after previously finishing third in a five-star Grand Prix at Al Shaqab in December. “Popeye is still somewhat inexperienced at this level. So this is truly incredible,” Klasener said. Nine classes, ranging from one to five stars, were contested yesterday, with a strong field of the world’s top-ranked riders competing for a total prize fund exceeding €3.3m. In the CSI5* Faults and Time 145cm, Britain’s Millie Allen topped the class aboard Quick Diamant HR after producing a clear round in 60.92 seconds. Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano finished second with Vasco 118 in 61.55 seconds, while Portugal’s Duarte Seabra took third riding Fernhill Leonardo in 62.90 seconds. Italy’s Gaudiano went one better in the CSI3* Faults and Time 145cm, guiding Nikolaj de Music to victory with a clear round in 60.32 seconds. American Kristen Vanderveen followed in second on Bull Run's Jireh in 62.55 seconds, with Saudi Arabia’s Kamal Abdullah Bahamdan completing the podium aboard Kwikly in 65.25 seconds. Qatar’s Suhaim Hamad Al Yafei claimed top honours in the CSI3* Special Two-Phase 130cm, stopping the clock at 33.60 seconds on Flash du Puits. Saudi rider Meshal Alqahtani placed second with Menke in 34.12 seconds, while Saeed Hamad Juma of Qatar finished third riding Wathnan Diesel in 34.57 seconds. Another Qatari victory followed in the CSI3* Faults and Time 140cm, where Faleh Suwead Al Ajami steered Wathnan Qapella to a winning clear in 56.60 seconds. Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Almobty placed second aboard Diamond Girl 40 in 58.42 seconds, with Jordan’s Ibrahim Hani Bisharat third on Corona Irw in 59.92 seconds. Egypt dominated the CSI1* Faults and Time 125cm, as Omar Mohamed Ahmed emerged victorious with a clear round in 49.98 seconds on Kamelia DS. Fellow Egyptian Saif Faisal Arafa finished second riding Lennard B in 50.57 seconds, while Saudi Arabia’s Fonoon Alhumaidan claimed third aboard Underline des Marais in 51.14 seconds. In the youth category, Qatar’s Nasser Hamad Al Maadheed secured victory in the CSIJ-B Special Two-Phase 115cm, posting a double clear in 31.31 seconds with Honolulu Brl. Mohammed Eisa Al Bukhari placed second on Steve Jobs in 32.39 seconds, followed by Abdulaziz Saoud Al Fakhroo on Falou in 32.96 seconds. Qatar continued its strong showing in the CSI1* Special Two-Phase 115cm, with Abdulla Ahmad A L Al Musafri claiming first place aboard Celia Z in 30.13 seconds. Saudi rider Fonoon Alhumaidan finished second on Nikita Z Ouma in 31.57 seconds, while Abdul Rahman Ghanim A A Al Kuwari completed the podium riding Hadan des Fauvelieres in 32.27 seconds. Abdullah Al Qashouti, Marketing and Communications Manager of the H H The Father Amir's Prix, presents the medal to Qatar’s Suhaim Hamad Al Yafei, who claimed top honours in the CSI3* Special Two-Phase 130cm. The local riders also impressed in the National Competition Optimum Time 80cm, where Meshael Mohammed Al Thani and Khalifa Joaan Al Thani shared first place after both finished just 0.05 seconds off the optimum time aboard Malaga and Ardfry Apollo respectively. Alya Hamad Al Thani placed third riding Juste with a margin of minus 0.24. The third round HH The Father Amir's Prix concludes today with Grand Prix competitions across three categories, highlighted by the CSI5* Grand Prix at 160cm and the CSI3* Grand Prix at 150cm in the main outdoor arena, alongside the CSI1* Grand Prix at 130cm in the indoor arena.

Cricket

Raipur: India continued their dominant run in the T20 series, defeating New Zealand in the second match to take2-0 lead. A brilliant innings from Ishan Kishan, followed by a composed finish from skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, ensured India chased down a challenging target of 209 with ease. After losing both openers cheaply to slump to 6 for 2, Ishan and Suryakumar produced a masterful 122-run partnership that steadied the innings. Ishan played the aggressor, scoring 76 off 32 balls, while Suryakumar rediscovered his form with a fluent half-century. Suryakumar went on to score 82* from 37 balls, with Dube contributing 36* off 18 deliveries, both remaining unbeaten as India completed the chase losing just three wickets. New Zealand had earlier posted 208 for 6 after a strong start from their openers. They dominated the powerplay and maintained a high run rate, with contributions from the middle and lower order helping them cross the 200-run mark.

Qatar Sport

Sohar: Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah and co-driver Candido Carrera overcame two slow punctures to take the lead after a punishing opening leg of the 29th Oman International Rally on Friday, the first round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC). Partnered by Candido Carrera, Al-Attiyah steered his Škoda Fabia RS to victory in five of the six gravel stages run in the rugged Hajar mountains, building a day-end lead of 41.2 seconds despite suffering two slow punctures initially. “We kept up the pace and tried to manage the punctures,” Al-Attiyah said after returning to Sohar. “There is still a long way to go.” Fellow Qatari Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya also enjoyed a strong day, holding third place overnight with Lebanese co-driver Ziad Chehab in a Ford Fiesta after a series of retirements shook up the leaderboard. The opening leg proved unforgiving, with several crews falling victim to accidents and mechanical problems. Early front-runners Hamza Bakhashab and Lorcan Moore were forced out when their Toyota suffered suspension damage, while engine issues ended the rallies of Jordan’s Sheikh Bader Al-Fayez and both QMMF Peugeot crews of Qatar’s Mohammed Al-Marri and Rashid Al-Muhannadi. Despite the setbacks, Al-Attiyah remained in control throughout the day, absorbing pressure from home favourite Abdullah Al-Rawahi, who impressed on his return from injury to finish second overall alongside Jordanian co-driver Ata Al-Hmoud. In the supporting categories, Qatari involvement remained prominent, although the challenging stages took a heavy toll. Only eight of the 14 starters were classified at the end of the day after a series of high-speed incidents. The event is being staged with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Al-Batinah North Governorate and Toyota Oman. The rally concludes on Saturday with two passes through the Al-Akak, Yanboa and Rahab stages, with the final run of Rahab serving as the Power Stage and offering additional championship points.