Qatar’s men’s handball team keeps up winning run, to meet South Korea in semi-finals

Three-time champions Qatar booked their place in the men’s handball semi-finals at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games after overcoming Iran 31-25 in an absorbing quarter-final at the Kasugai City Gymnasium in Aichi Prefecture on Saturday.

Favourites Qatar will face South Korea in the semi-finals after the Koreans secured their place in the last four with a 32-26 victory over China.

The quarter-final proved to be a closely fought contest, particularly in the opening half, when Iran held a narrow advantage. Qatar struggled to convert several attacking opportunities and found themselves trailing 14-13 at the interval.

The opening stages were evenly contested before Iran established a two-goal advantage in the 13th minute, moving 6-4 ahead as Qatar squandered a number of chances in attack.

Qatar responded by regaining their composure and reducing the deficit to one goal at 6-7. Iran, however, regained control and restored a three-goal advantage at 9-6.

Qatar finished the first half strongly. A determined spell of pressure reduced Iran’s lead to 13-11, before Qatar continued to push in the closing moments to go into the break just one goal behind at 14-13.

Qatar made an immediate impact after the restart, leveling the score at 14–14.

The second half remained tightly contested, with neither side able to establish a decisive advantage. The teams continued to trade goals until the score reached 23-23 midway through the half.

Qatar then produced a crucial surge. With 20 minutes played in the second half, they finally opened up a two-goal lead for the first time, moving 26-24 ahead before extending their advantage to 27–24.

Iran attempted to fight back during the final five minutes, looking to reduce the deficit and revive their hopes of reaching the semi-finals. Qatar, however, remained composed and maintained their intensity at both ends of the court.

Qatar pulled further clear in the closing stages, eventually securing a six-goal victory at 31-25 and completing a hard-earned comeback.

The result sends Qatar into the Asian Games semi-finals, where they will meet South Korea for a place in the final.

The match was attended by HE Jassim bin Rashid Al Buenain, Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and Sheikh Khalifa bin Khalid Al Thani, Director of the Sports Sector at the Qatar Olympic Committee.

Qatar’s high jump legend Mutaz Barshim takes centre stage in the men’s high jump final on Sunday at the 20th Asian Games in Japan, as he bids to add another medal to his remarkable continental record.

Barshim arrives in Japan with an illustrious Asian Games resume, having won three gold medals. He first stood atop the podium at the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games before successfully defending his title in Incheon in 2014. After missing the Jakarta 2018 edition through injury, the Qatari star returned to Asian Games action in Hangzhou in 2022 and reclaimed the gold medal.

The veteran high jumper, who owns the second-best mark in the history of the event at 2.35m, will now look to extend his extraordinary record on the continental stage and return to the podium in Aichi-Nagoya.

The final is expected to provide Barshim with a stern test, with a strong field of rivals set to challenge for the medals. Yet the Qatari champion brings with him vast experience at the highest level, as well as a proven ability to perform under pressure when the stakes are at their highest.

With another Asian Games medal in his sights, Barshim will be determined to produce a performance worthy of his status as one of Qatar’s greatest athletics stars and once again fly the Qatar flag high on the continental stage.

Qatar will also be represented on Sunday in the men’s 400m hurdles, with Abderrahman Samba and Bassem Hemeida set to compete as the country continues its athletics campaign at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.

Qatar athletes secure finals berths as athletics action intensifies

Qatar’s Omar Daoud qualified for the 110m hurdles final after clocking 13.63s to finish second in his heat in the qualifiers.

Despite competing in rainy conditions, Daoud delivered a composed performance to secure his place in today’s final, where he will target a medal against a strong field.

In the 1500m, Qatar’s Ibrahim Abbas and Mohammed Waheed also advanced to the final. Abbas won his heat in 3:45.54, while Waheed finished fourth in his heat in 3:45.83, putting both runners in contention for a podium finish.

Meanwhile, Djibrine Ahmat finished sixth in the men’s shot put final with a throw of 19.00m after competing in a highly competitive field.In the 400m, Qatar’s Ammar Ibrahim narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth in the final in 45.35 seconds.

He had qualified for the final after finishing second in the heat in 45.31 seconds.

Beach volleyball team of Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan representing Qatar 1, face Oman on Sunday in a crucial Group A clash at the Asian Games, with the result carrying significant importance for the group standings.

The Qatari duo began their campaign with a convincing 2-0 victory over the Philippines, collecting their first points and strengthening their hopes of finishing at the top of the group.

They now face Oman, one of the group’s leading contenders, in a key test of their medal ambitions. Younousse and Tijan will look to maintain their strong form and secure another victory, which would provide Qatar with a valuable boost as the competition progresses.

Meanwhile, Qatar 2, featuring Mohamed Ihab and Mousa Al Khair, have completed their group-stage campaign after suffering a 2–0 defeat to Thailand in their final match.

Despite the loss, Qatar 2 finished second in the group with two victories and one defeat. Thailand topped the standings, with both teams advancing to the Round of 16.