Belayneh to Barshim: Medal hopefuls from the MENA region

Sport360 staff 12:36 21/08/2015
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  • Expected to shine: Mutaz Barshim (top left) will be bidding for gold in Beijing.

    Ahead of the World Athletics Championships which kicks off in Beijing on Saturday, here's a look at six athletes from the Middle East who are expected to shine.

    Betlhem Belayneh (UAE)

    Middle and distance runner
    Date of Birth: November 13, 1991

    Best achievements
    Gold – Asian Championships 2013 (1,500m, 5,000), Asian Championships 2015 (1,500m, 5,000m)

    Events schedule
    1,500m
    – Heats 7:15    August 22
    1,500m – Semi-finals 16:45 August 23
    1,500m – Final 16:35     August 25
    5,000m – Heats 05:40    August 27
    5,000m – Final 15:15    August 30

    Alia Saeed (UAE)
    Distance runner
    Date of Birth:
    May 18, 1991

    Best achievements
    Gold – Asian Games 2014 (10,000m), Asian Championships 2015 (10,000m)

    Events schedule
    10,000m – Final 16:35    August 24

    Taoufik Makhloufi (ALG)
    Middle-distance runner
    Date of Birth:
    April 29, 1998

    Best achievements
    Gold – London 2012 Olympics
    (1,500m)

    Events schedule
    800m – Heats 7:50    August 22
    800m – Semi-finals 16:15    August 23
    800m – Final 16:55    August 25
    1,500m – Heats 6:35    August 27
    1,500m – Semi-finals 15:55    August 28
    1,500m – Final 15:45    August 30

    – From Hughes to Barshim: Five to watch at the World Athletics Champs
    – INTERVIEW: Mutaz Barshim aiming for World Championship gold
    – From Desalegn to Barshim – Meet the Gulf’s 2016 Olympic hopefuls

    Mutaz Barshim (QAT)
    High jumper
    Date of Birth:
    June 24, 1991

    Best achievements
    Gold – World Indoor Championships 2014, Silver – World Championships 2013, Bronze – London 2012 Olympics

    Events schedule
    High jump
    – Qualification 5:45    August 28
    High jump – Final 4:30    August 30

    Mimi Belete (BRN)
    Distance runner
    Date of Birth:
    June 9, 1988

    Best achievements
    Currently ranked 10th in the world in the 5,000m, Gold – Asian Games 2010 (5,000m)

    Events schedule
    5,000m – Heats 05:40    August 27
    5,000m – Final 15:15    August 30

    Abdalaati Iguider (MAR)
    Middle-distance runner
    Date of Birth:
    March 25, 1987

    Best achievements
    Gold – World Indoor Championships 2012 (1,500m), Bronze – World Indoor Championships 2014 (1,500m), Bronze – London 2012 Olympics (1,500m)

    Events schedule
    1,500m
    – Heats 6:35    August 27
    1,500m – Semi-finals 15:55    August 28
    1,500m – Final 15:45    August 30

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