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Ibrahem Al-Hasan successful in Amman will be seeking more success on home soil
Photo By: Mohammed Al-Tayar
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02/12/2012
GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour, Kuwait Open,
Ibrahem Al-Hasan will undoubtedly be the focus of attention for local eyes when matters commence at the Salwa Cup Kuwait Open on Tuesday 14th February, the latest tournament on the GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour.
A powerful right handed attacking player, th 25 year old is the no.31 seed in the Men’s Singles event and has for several years been the leading player in the Gulf Area of the world.
Furthermore, he has qualified for the London 2012 Olympic Games and already this year he has enjoyed international success.
Recently he won the Men’s Singles title at the 13th Arab Cup staged in Amman, the capital of Jordan, from Tuesday 21st to Tuesday 31st January 2012.
Success in Amman
At the final hurdle he overcame Lebanon’s Dauud Cheaib in four straight games (12-10, 11-2, 11-8, 11-4), having at the semi-final stage accounted for Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Al-Harbi in five games (11-6, 9-11, 11-3, 11-2, 11-7).
Third place went to Bahrain’s Hamad Buhiji, who at the semi-final stage had suffered defeat at the hands of Dauud Cheaib (12-10, 11-6, 12-10, 11-8), but recovered to clinch third place by overcoming Khaled Al-Harbi in five games (11-3, 12-10, 11-9, 13-15, 11-7).
Women’s Singles
Success for Kuwait in the Men’s Singles event, in the counterpart Women’s Singles competition it was Jordan who secured the top prize, with Tatiana Techrestova securing gold.
At the final hurdle she accounted for Tunisia’s Safa Saidani in a full distance seven games duel (11-6, 5-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-13, 11-2, 11-7), having at the penultimate stage overcome Lebanon’s Rita Bsaibes in four straight games (11-4, 11-9, 11-4, 11-8).
Third Place
Third place went to Bahrain’s Maryam Yusuf Alqasimi.
She beat Rita Bsaibes in the bronze medal contest in four straight games (11-5, 11-6, 11-6, 11-3), having at the semi-final stage suffered a close seven games defeat at the hands of Saifa Saidani (11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 4-11, 11-7, 4-11, 11-4).
Most Successful Countries
The success recorded by Tatiana Techrestova was the one gold medal success for Jordan in a tournament where no country asserted overall domination.
In gold medal terms, Kuwait and Tunisia emerged the most successful. In addition to the efforts Ibrahem Al-Hasan, Marzooq Alrashidi won the Under 12 Boys’ Singles title and partnered Meshal Alkanderi to Under 12 Boys’ Doubles success to give Kuwait a grand total of three gold medals, the same as secured by Tunisia.
Olfa Guenni and Safa Saidani won the Women’s Doubles title; whilst Sarra Ben Slamna secured Cadet Girls’ Singles gold and partnered Mariem Ben Chiekh to the top prize in the Cadet Girls’ Doubles event.
Algeria and Syria
Three titles for Kuwait and Tunisia; the next in line of accession was Algeria and Syria; they each won two with the girls shining for both countries.
Chahinez Bougadoum won the Junior Girls’ Singles title and partnered Fatiha Bouclaras to Junior Girls’ Doubles success to put smiles on Algerian faces; whilst for Syria, Tasnim Nabhan won the Under 12 Girls’ Singles event and joined forces with Alissar Salami to secure top spot on the Under 12 Girls’ Doubles rostrum.
Fatiha Bouclaras partnered Chahinez Bougadoum the Junior Girls’ Doubles gold Photo by Rémy Gros
Two Titles
Two titles for Marzooq Alrashidi, who the only male player to leave with a brace of gold and two for Chahinez Bougadoum, Tasnim Nabhan and Sarra Ben Slamna, the only female players to leave with more than one title to their credit; for the rest it was share and share alike.
Gold Medals for Bahrain, United Arab Emirates
Mohamed Bushelaibi won the Junior Boys’ Singles title to give Bahrain their one gold medal; whilst Abdulrahman Alnaggar secured the Cadet Boys’ Singles crown to bring Qatar success.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates celebrated thanks to the efforts of Rashid Omar and Rashed Mohamed; they won the Men’s Doubles event.
Success for Yemen and Saudi Arabia
Similarly there was gold for Yemen thanks to Muneer Al-Dhubhani and Taha Al-Mahaqeri.
They won Junior Boys’ Doubles gold; whilst for Saudia Arabia there was also a place on the top step of the medal podium. Muhamed Alsharif and Ali Alkhadrawi won the Cadet Boys’ Doubles title.
Rashid Omar partnered Rashed Mohamed to Men’s Doubles success Photo by Atef Alghamery
No Country Empty Handed
The end result was that 10 countries from the 13 who participated, in a tournament that hosted 16 events departed with gold medals and none left empty handed.
In addition to the efforts of David Cheaib in the Men’s Singles event, Lebanon secured a meritorious silver medal in the Junior Girls’ Doubles competition thanks to Maysa Bsaibes and Melissa Saber; whilst Iraq and Palestine who completed the entry list, also gained podium places.
Iraq and Palestine
Iraq’s Hussein Jabbar and Nabaa Al-Ezairej were the silver medallist in the respective Under 12 Boys’ and Under 12 Girls’ Singles event; whilst in the Junior Boys’ Doubles competition, Fadi Masalma and Ahmad Albashar secured bronze for Palestine.
Unique Experience
A total of 83 male and 40 female players participated in a tournament where at the end of proceedings a total of 326 matches were played and everyone departed contented; every country left with at least one medal, a somewhat unique experience.
Furthermore, it is surely good news for the Arab world, intense competition can only raise standards.
Bahrain’s Mohamed Bushelaibi, the winner of the Junior Boys’ Singles title in Amman Photo by Rémy Gros
Download: Facts and Figures
The 13th Arab Cup 2012: Entry List and Match Statistics
The 13th Arab Cup 2012: Roll of Honour
The 13th Arab Cup 2012: Full Results of All Singles Events
The 13th Arab Cup 2012: Full Results of All Doubles Events
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