Camel Racing: Suleiman and Kholoud Shine with 8km Gold as Islamic Solidarity Games Enter Final Stages
Camel Racing: Suleiman and Kholoud Shine with 8km Gold as Islamic Solidarity Games Enter Final Stages
Nawaz Gohar from Riyadh ; Saudi Arabia celebrated a double triumph in Camel Racing on Thursday as Alard Suleiman and Kholoud Alshammari stormed to victory in the men’s and women’s 8km finals at the Al Janadriyah Camel Racing Arena during the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games – Riyadh 2025.
In the men’s final, Suleiman delivered a commanding performance to secure the gold medal ahead of compatriot Ahmed Aljohni, who claimed silver after being drafted into the race at the last minute due to an injury to teammate Aziz Aljohni. Matar Almheiri of the UAE completed the podium with bronze.
The women’s event saw another strong Saudi showing as Kholoud Alshammari clinched gold. Hadeel Alsharif won silver for the Kingdom, while the UAE’s Fatma Alameri claimed bronze.
At the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Sports City, Algeria and Iran shared the spotlight with impressive gold-medal performances. In the men’s 5000m Race Walk, Algeria’s Benhammouda Ismail secured the top spot, followed by Turkey’s Salih Korkmaz with silver, and Mazlum Demir, also from Turkey, earning bronze.
In the Women’s Para Javelin Throw (F55/F56), Iran completed a remarkable one-two finish. Hashemiyeh Moavi took gold, while compatriot Zeinab Rashnou won silver. Uzbekistan’s Natalya Semonova took home the bronze medal.
Handball action reaches its climax on Friday at the Green Halls in the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Olympic Complex. The women’s final will begin at 1:30 PM.
The men’s final, featuring hosts Saudi Arabia against Bahrain, is scheduled for 4:00 PM and is expected to draw a packed crowd. Wrestling competitions at Boulevard Riyadh City will conclude on Friday with four finals across key men’s weight categories: 74kg Final – 5:39 PM, 86kg Final – 5:57 PM, 97kg Final – 6:16 PM and 125kg Final – 6:36 PM.
Jiu-Jitsu will also wrap up on Friday at the Martial Arts Arena, Prince Faisal bin Fahad Sports City, with medal bouts in the following categories: Men: –62kg, –77kg, Women: –52kg, –63kg.
The Para Powerlifting competition begins Friday at Boulevard Riyadh City, featuring 20 total categories for men and women. Morning Session: Women’s lightweight: up to 41kg, 45kg, 50kg, 55kg, 61kg – 10:00 AM; Men’s lightweight: up to 49kg, 54kg, 59kg, 65kg, 72kg – 11:40 AM. Afternoon Session: Women’s heavyweight: 67kg, 73kg, 79kg, 86kg, +86kg – 3:00 PM, Men’s heavyweight: 80kg, 88kg, 97kg, 107kg, +107kg – 3:45 PM
Saudi athlete Ahmed Aljohni produced one of the day’s most inspiring stories. Originally not scheduled to race, Aljohni was summoned late Wednesday after teammate Aziz Aljohni sustained an injury. He immediately travelled from Umluj, arriving in Riyadh just before midnight. Despite the abrupt call-up, he displayed remarkable composure and determination, finishing with a well-earned silver medal behind champion Alard Suleiman.
