PARIS: Kuwait’s fencer Yusuf Al-Shamlan was defeated 6-15 on Saturday in the 32nd round at Olympic Games Paris 2024, leaving the event early. In a press release, secretary of Kuwait Fencing Association Hamad Al-Awadhi said he is proud of Al-Shamlan, ranked 24 globally, adding that the player offered a good performance against his German rival Matyas Szabo. Al-Shamlan did his best to qualify for the Olympic Games and benefited from this event, Al-Awadhi said. Al-Shamlan is the first Kuwaiti fencer who cruised into the Olympic Games.
Al-Faqaan ranks 4th
Meanwhile, Kuwaiti rowing champion Soaad Al-Faqaan on Saturday completed the initial preliminary qualifiers by placing fourth in the (women’s solo) race at Paris Olympic Games 2024. Al-Faqaan will have a second chance to qualify for the next round of competitions during the rehabilitation round for players from fourth to sixth place in the individual qualifiers scheduled for Sunday.
Al-Faqaan recorded a time of 8.16.32 minutes in the qualifying rounds, which was topped by American player Kara Koehler, who’s recorded a time of 7.32.46 minutes. The rowing competitions were held on the Vaires-sur-Marne in the Seine-et-Marne region, north of Paris. Soaad Al-Faqaan’s participation in marine sports is considered the first participation of Kuwaiti women at the Olympic Games. Meanwhile, Kuwait is participating in the Paris Olympics Games 2024 with nine players competing in six games: archery, fencing, swimming, athletics, rowing, and sailing. — KUNA