Sanya: Qatar is enjoying a strong and multi-sport showing at the Asian Beach Games Sanya 2026, with standout performances in beach handball, beach volleyball, and 3×3 basketball, alongside the arrival of its wrestling team for upcoming competition.
The national beach handball team confirmed its status as a title contender after securing top spot in Group B and qualifying for the semifinals. Qatar sealed first place with a decisive 2–0 victory over Thailand (26–20, 22–20), in a high-stakes encounter between two evenly matched sides that entered the clash level on points. The win lifted Qatar to 12 points and underlined its dominance throughout the group stage.
The team’s campaign has been defined by consistency and control. Qatar opened with victories over Pakistan and Oman, before extending its winning streak against Bangladesh and Mongolia. A fifth win over Jordan further cemented its momentum heading into the decisive match against Thailand.
Placed in a competitive group featuring eight teams—including Oman, Jordan, Pakistan, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Mongolia—Qatar navigated a demanding schedule with composure, relying on squad cohesion and experience to maintain a high performance level. The team concludes its preliminary round against Maldives before shifting focus to the semifinals, with the final scheduled for Thursday.
Team manager Salem Mohammed Al-Dosari praised the players’ resilience, particularly in challenging weather conditions. He highlighted the collective effort of the technical, administrative, and medical teams, noting that the squad overcame injury setbacks to secure qualification. The emphasis now turns to sustaining momentum in the knockout stages as Qatar aims to retain its title.
In beach volleyball, Qatar also made significant progress. The top men’s team of Sharif Younes and Ahmed Tijan advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating compatriots Mohamed Ehab Abu Mousa Al-Khair and his partner in straight sets (21–10, 21–16) in the Round of 16.
The all-Qatari clash reflected the depth of talent within the national program, but the first team’s experience and tactical coordination proved decisive. They now face China in the quarterfinals, a highly anticipated matchup following China’s hard-fought win over Thailand.
Younes and Tijan have been dominant throughout the tournament, topping Group B with three consecutive victories, including a notable 2–1 win over Iran. Meanwhile, Qatar’s second team reached the knockout stage after finishing runners-up in their group, with wins against Saudi Arabia and Macau.
According to Mohammed Anbar Al-Nasser, Director of the National Beach Volleyball Teams, the first team has demonstrated strong readiness and adaptability under pressure. He expressed confidence in their ability to progress further and compete for gold, while also emphasizing the developmental value of the tournament for the second team.
In 3×3 basketball, Qatar’s men’s team is preparing to conclude its group stage campaign with a crucial match against India. The team enters the contest on the back of consecutive wins over Bahrain and Kazakhstan, performances that showcased tactical discipline and high-tempo play. The final group match will determine their seeding ahead of the knockout rounds.
The women’s team, meanwhile, faces a tougher path after an opening loss to China and will look to rebound against Kazakhstan as they continue to build experience at the continental level.
Elsewhere, Qatar’s wrestling team has arrived in Sanya and begun preparations for competition. The squad includes Saad Al-Hammadi (80kg) and Hamad Al-Nuaimi (70kg), both aiming to deliver strong performances and gain valuable exposure against Asia’s top wrestlers.
In the overall medal standings, China continues to lead with a commanding tally of 28 medals, followed by Thailand and the Philippines. The competition remains open for the remaining positions as events progress.
With multiple teams advancing and others poised for key matchups, Qatar’s campaign in Sanya reflects both competitive ambition and growing depth across beach sports disciplines.
