Husain Al Farsi, a 20-year-old middle-distance runner from Oman, made history at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou by clinching a bronze medal in the 800m event. Al Farsi’s remarkable achievement, marked by a personal best time of 1:48.51, not only secured Oman’s first-ever medal in the 800m track event but also stands as the second medal for the Sultanate in these Games, setting a new record for Oman’s performance at the Asian Games.
Oman’s sailors, Musab Al Hadi and Waleed Al Kindi, earlier claimed the country’s maiden silver medal in the men’s skiff 49er event. This collective success positions the Hangzhou Games as Oman’s most accomplished performance since its debut in the Asian Games in 1982.
Saudi Arabia’s Essa Ali Kzwani secured the gold in the 800m with a time of 1:48.05, followed by India’s Mohammed Afsal Pulikkalakath, who clinched silver with 1:48.43.
Al Farsi’s medal now aligns him with Oman’s athletics legends, Mohammed Amur Al Malki and Barakat Al Harthi, who are the only other runners from the Sultanate to have won medals at the Asian Games.
This milestone not only highlights Al Farsi’s extraordinary feat but also breaks Oman’s athletics medal drought since 2010, showcasing the Sultanate’s continued commitment to sporting excellence.
