JEDDAH, 1 September 2007 — Mohammed Al-Salihi extended the Saudi campaign to the final day when he qualified yesterday for the men’s 800 meters final in the 11th World Athletics Championship in Osaka, Japan.
The six-foot tall Al-Salihi placed third in heat 3 of the semifinal clocking 1:45.23.
Al-Salihi returns to the track tomorrow when the nine-day event ends. Loads of pressure will be put on his shoulders as he competes with seven other finalists including Alfred Kirwa Yego of Kenya who came first after finishing in 1:44.54 in heat 1 and South African Mbulaeni Mulaudzi who was second in the same heat after finishing in 1:44.71 seconds. “I believe I did well despite the slow pace of the race as the athletes were speeding up only near the end,” said Al-Salihi who was part of the Saudi quartet that won the gold medal in the 4X400m relay event in the 15th Asian Games. He said “reaching here is a success on its own and I am working hard to achieve and dedicate my success to my brother, who died a month ago and was looking forward to seeing me reach the finals, and to my country.”
