Qatari runner Abubaker Haydar Abdalla expressed his great happiness at qualifying for the semi-finals of the men’s 800 m at the World Athletics Championships Doha 2019.
Haydar finished second in heat two of the qualifying round, after clocking a time of 1:46.11.
Speaking immediately after the race, Haydar said he had given his utmost during the race and led for the first 600 metres, and that he was keen to finish among the top three, following his coach’s instructions, in order to secure qualification for the next round.
Haydar explained that his ambitions are great and that he is constantly looking to perform at an outstanding level, seeking to reach the final and win medals, noting that he is working to achieve the best possible results for Qatari athletics. He stressed that he feels optimistic about better things to come in the competition during the World Championships being held in Doha.
Abubaker Haydar Abdalla is the first Qatari runner and athlete to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, after achieving the qualifying mark at the recent Asian Championships in Doha. Haydar acknowledged that the competition from all participants was strong and exciting, especially since it is a World Championships and everyone is working to win medals.
First place in the heat, ahead of Haydar during the race, went to Canadian runner Brandon McBride with a time of 1:45.96, ahead of French runner Pierre Ambroise, who finished third in 1:46.14.
The Qatari runner praised the tremendous crowd support he found at Khalifa International Stadium, considering that it gave him greater confidence and a major morale boost to make happy all the fans who cheered him on and stood by him and his teammates.
The young runner Abubaker Haydar Abdalla expressed his hope that Qatar’s champions would continue to win and reach the podium in the remaining Diamond League meetings before competing in the World Championships.
Abubaker Haydar Abdalla concluded by saying: “I am happy that Qatar is hosting the World Athletics Championships, and about the wonderful atmosphere Doha is experiencing these days,” affirming that their task would be doubled in order to win titles.
