Staff Reporter
Doha: Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani crowned the winners of the equestrian team showjumping competition at the GCC Games Doha 2026 on Wednesday as Team Qatar continued a remarkable run of success across multiple sports during the ongoing regional event in Doha.
The equestrian competition, held at the indoor arena of the Qatar Equestrian Federation, witnessed intense competition among the Gulf nations. Team Qatar, represented by riders Faleh Suwaid Al Ajami, Salman Mohammed Al Emadi, Khalid Mohammed Al Emadi and Bassem Mohammed, delivered an outstanding performance to secure the gold medal after topping the standings in the 145cm two-round event and jump-off.
The United Arab Emirates claimed silver through riders Mohammed Ahmed Al Owais, Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi, Saeed Mohammed Al Mazrouei and Sheikh Ali Jassim Al Nuaimi, while Kuwait earned bronze.
Qatar’s swimmers also dominated the second day of action at the Games, capturing gold medals in all five events contested while setting a series of new Games records at the Hamad Aquatic Centre.
Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain crowned Qatar’s relay quartet of Ali Tamer, Tamim Al Hamaideh, Emil Fuzaï and Mohammed Mahmoud after they won gold in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay with a Games record time of 3:23.01 minutes.
In the men’s 400m freestyle, Saadaldin secured gold with another Games record of 3:50.80 minutes, while teammate Emil Fuzaï claimed silver. Mohammed Mahmoud added another gold in the 50m breaststroke with a record time of 28.38 seconds, ahead of Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Al Otaibi, while Qatar’s Hamza Shaalan won bronze.
Ali Tamer continued Qatar’s impressive showing by winning the men’s 100m freestyle gold in a new Games record of 49.78 seconds, while Abdullah Al Ghamri captured gold in the men’s 200m backstroke with another record-breaking performance.
With these achievements, Team Qatar raised their swimming medal tally to 12 medals, including eight golds.
Qatar’s men’s 3×3 basketball team also delivered a flawless campaign to win gold at Al Gharafa Hall. The hosts defeated Bahrain 20-11 in the final after producing dominant performances throughout the tournament.
The Qatari side had earlier defeated the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in the preliminary rounds before overcoming Saudi Arabia again in the semi-finals. Bahrain settled for silver, while Saudi Arabia claimed bronze after defeating the UAE in the third-place playoff.
The medal ceremony was attended by Dr. Thani bin Abdulrahman Al Kuwari and Mohammed bin Saad Al Meghaiseeb.
In fencing, Team Qatar made a powerful start after Ali Owaida won gold in the men’s foil event, while compatriot Khalid Hussein secured silver to complete a memorable result for the hosts. The bronze medal went to the UAE’s Fares Al Balooshi.
Qatar also continued to collect medals in bowling, with Talal Al Marri and Badr Al Sada earning silver in the doubles competition after scoring 2481 points across six games. Saudi Arabia captured gold, while Kuwait secured bronze.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s taekwondo athletes concluded their campaign with four additional medals, including silver medals for Ali Al Arimi and Noor Mohammed, while Mohammed Awadallah and Najood Ali Al Fahad claimed bronze medals.
Adel Al Marzouqi praised the athletes’ performances and highlighted the continued growth of the sport in Qatar.
In billiards, Ali Al Obaidli captured silver in the 10-ball singles event after a hard-fought 7-5 defeat to Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Baayad in the final. Al Obaidli had reached the final after defeating the UAE’s Mahmoud Sharif in the semi-finals.
Qatar’s table tennis team also secured bronze in the men’s team competition after defeating Oman 3-0, while suffering defeats against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Saudi Arabia won gold, with Bahrain taking silver.
Attention now turns to handball, where Team Qatar begin their campaign on Thursday against the UAE at Duhail Arena under the guidance of Montenegrin coach Veselin Vujovic.
Officials and delegates from across the Gulf continued to praise Doha’s organisation and facilities. Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al Thani highlighted Qatar’s leadership in hosting major events and stressed the importance of delivering a memorable spectator experience under the slogan “One Gulf, One Heart.”
Sheikh Fahad bin Khalid Al Thani described the Games as a celebration of Gulf unity and praised the opening ceremony as one of the finest sporting ceremonies staged in the region.
Ahmed Al Tayeb, head of the UAE delegation, also commended Qatar’s hospitality, world-class infrastructure and organisational excellence, expressing confidence in the country’s ability to host future major events including the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 and the Doha 2030 Asian Games.
