Balushi sprints to gold at West Asian Clubs Athletics Championship
Representing Salalah Club and competing on behalf of all Omani clubs, Balushi delivered a decisive performance on Thursday, clocking 10.03 secs to win in a field packed with regional contenders. This victory follows his first-place finish at the Oman Athletics Federation Shield Championship 2024, which qualified him for the regional event.
'This victory is the result of months of rigorous training and discipline,' said national coach Fahad al Mashaykhi. 'Ali faced technical challenges earlier this season, but his focus and persistence paid off.'
More than 400 athletes from 13 countries took part in the second edition of the championship featuring 23 track and field events. The 100m sprint was one of the most competitive races, with athletes seeking to qualify for upcoming international meets.
'This championship featured some of the region's best, many aiming for global qualification. Winning here shows Ali is both mentally and physically prepared,' Mashaykhi said.
The event is officially recognised by International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) under its E classification, making Balushi's gold medal a qualifying result for future global competitions.
Balushi is now preparing for the Arab Athletics Championships in Algeria later this month. His performance will also contribute to preparations for the 26th Asian Championships in South Korea in July and the World Championships in Japan in September.
'This medal is not only a reward but also motivation,' Mashaykhi said. 'It gives us a benchmark and helps shape our training strategy for the rest of the season.'
Oman Athletics Association views Balushi's Doha performance as an encouraging step in its broader effort to boost the country's competitiveness on the continental and world stage, the coach added.
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