Asian Athletics Championships:
Mobini etches name into history books as Iran grabs double golds
Reihaneh Mobini made history by becoming the first Iranian girl to win a gold medal in the 26th edition of the Asian Athletics Championships, walking away with the ultimate prize of the long jump event in Gumi, South Korea, on Thursday.
There was further glory for the country on Day 3 of the continental showpiece, as Mohammadreza Tayyebi grabbed the gold in the men’s shot put contest.
Having registered a second-best qualification effort of 6.33m on the preceding day, Mobini saved her best for the final showdown as she jumped 6.40m with her second attempt to clinch a historic medal for the country.
Indian duo Ancy Sojan Edappilly (6.33m) and Shaili Singh (6.30m) settled for the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Japan’s Sumire Hata, who had set a championship record for the gold in the previous edition in 2023, missed out on the podium in Gumi, finishing fourth with 6.20m, despite a best qualification display with 6.35m.
In the men’s shot put showdown, Tayyebi was the only contestant to exceed the 20m-mark at the Gumi Civic Stadium.
Ranked third in the 15-man table after three rounds, the Iranian unleashed a 20.27m throw on his fourth attempt and then registered 20.32m to beat China’s Xing Jialiang (19.97m) to the gold medal.
Saudi Mohammed Tolu – a silver medalist in the latest Asian Games – took the bronze with a best effort of 19.92m.