LOC09:05
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FIRST OLYMPIC MEDAL FOR KUWAIT
SYDNEY, SEPT 20 (KUNA) -- KUWAIT WON THE FIRST EVER OLYMPIC MEDAL HERE ON
WEDNESDAY, WHEN FHAID AL DEHANI GRABBED THE BRONZE MEDAL FOR THE OLYMPIC MEN'S
DOUBLE TRAP.
IT WAS ALSO THE FIRST ARAB MEDAL OF THE SYDNEY GAMES IN THE FIFTH DAY OF
THE 16-DAY LONG EVENT.
AL DEHANI GAINED THE BRONZE WITH 186 POINTS.
THE 33-YEAR-OLD AL DEHANI MADE A RUN AGAINST BRITAIN'S RICHARD FAULDS AND
AUSTRALIA'S RUSSELL MARK OVER THE FINAL SHOTS, BUT HE CAME UP SHORT WITH 186
TO 187, WITH THE BRITON GOING ON TO TAKE THE GOLD IN A SHOOT-OFF WITH THE
HOMETOWNER.
AL DEHANI WAS VOTED ASIA'S ATHLETE OF THE YEAR IN 1994.
HE CAME SIXTH IN THE 1998 DOUBLE TRAP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN BARCELONA AND
WON A BRONZE MEDAL IN THE SAME EVENT THE FOLLOWING YEAR IN TAMPERE, FINLAND.
HIS PROGRESS THROUGH THE RANKS WAS AGAIN UNDERLINED THIS YEAR WHEN HE WON
THE NEW DELHI LEG OF THE WORLD SHOTGUN CUP IN THE DOUBLE TRAP.
AL DEHANI'S MEDAL COMES 26 YEARS AFTER KUWAIT FIRST TOOK PART IN THE
OLYMPICS.
PRIOR TO SYDNEY, THE BEST KUWAITI PERFORMANCE WAS IN THE 1992 BARCELONA
OLYMPICS WHEN THEY CLINCHED A BRONZE IN TAEKWONDO, BUT IT WAS ONLY A
DEMONSTRATION SPORT AT THE TIME. (END)
BMJ.AG
KUNA 200905 Sep 00NNNN