In a spectacular finish, Bahrain concluded their campaign at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, securing two additional gold medals. World champion wrestler Akhmed Tazhudinov triumphed in the men’s freestyle wrestling 97kg category, while accomplished weightlifter Gor Minasyan dominated the men’s weightlifting over 109 kg competition, setting three new Asiad records in the process.
With these victories, Bahrain’s delegation achieved a historic total of 12 gold medals at the Games, surpassing their previous best of 10 golds from the 2018 Asiad in Indonesia. The Kingdom’s overall medal tally now stands at 20, including three silver and five bronze medals across five sports—athletics, handball, jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and weightlifting.
Bahrain retained their position as the top-ranked Arab nation on the medal table, securing ninth place based on gold medals and 16th based on overall medal count among the 41 participating nations.
The 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou will conclude today with the closing ceremony scheduled for 3 p.m. Bahrain time. The Kingdom’s participation in 17 sports with their largest-ever delegation marked a highly successful campaign at this multi-sport event.
In the men’s freestyle 97kg competition, Tazhudinov clinched his gold medal by defeating Iran’s Mojtaba Goleij 6-1 in the final. This victory added to his world and Asian titles earlier this year, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Meanwhile, in the men’s freestyle 86kg category, Bahrain’s Magomed Sharipov narrowly missed out on the bronze medal, while Magomedrasul Asluev could not secure a podium finish in the men’s freestyle 74kg class.
In the men’s weightlifting over 109 kg event, Bahrain’s Minasyan delivered an exceptional performance, setting new Asian Games records in snatch, clean and jerk, and total weight lifted. His dominance earned him the gold with a total of 457kg, leaving his nearest competitor trailing by 31kg.
Minasyan’s remarkable achievement further solidifies Bahrain’s standing in the world of international sports. The Kingdom’s athletes have demonstrated exceptional skill, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the competition, making their mark on the global stage.
