Muscat – Oman’s national athletics team made a strong impression at the inaugural Athletics Grand Prix Competitions, securing several first-place finishes as athletes from more than 50 countries competed at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher.

Organised by the Oman Athletics Association, the one-day event on Sunday featured 31 track and field competitions for men and women, bringing together a strong international field.

The Athletics Grand Prix Competitions were held as part of the World Athletics Continental Tour at Bronze level, alongside the International Challenge Tour, giving athletes an opportunity to earn world ranking points and strengthen their chances of qualifying for major international championships.

Omani athletes delivered several standout performances across the programme.

Oman’s Salim Al-Rawahi won the triple jump, adding another first-place finish for the hosts.

In the 100m race, Oman’s Ali Al Balushi produced a winning performance, while Mulham Al Balushi placed third.

In the long jump, Ethiopia’s Bola Melaku took first place, while Oman’s Fatek Beit Jaaboub secured the top spot in the high jump.

In the men’s hammer throw, Egypt’s Mostafa El-Gamel claimed first place, while compatriot Youssef Barakat won the shot put.

In the track events, the 400m title went to UAE athlete Suleiman Abdulrahman, while Puerto Rico’s Ryan Sanchez won the 800m.

Turkey’s Salah Teskuz took first place in the 1,500m, while the Malaysian team won the 100m relay. Oman finished second in the relay.

The women’s events also produced a series of strong international performances.

Nigeria’s Fatha Kapseng won the women’s long jump, while Oman’s Alia Al Mughairi secured first place in the high jump.

UAE athlete Fatima Al Hosani won the discus throw, while Canada’s Jalina Weir claimed first place in the hammer throw.

The strong showing by Oman’s athletes provided valuable competition ahead of the national team’s preparations for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with the home Grand Prix serving as an important test against international opposition. Oman’s athletics team had identified the Muscat event as a key competitive opportunity before travelling to Thailand for its final training camp ahead of the Asian Games.

The successful staging of the inaugural competition also underlines Oman’s growing role as a host for international athletics events and provides local athletes with an opportunity to compete at home against athletes from a wide range of countries.