Official Newsletter of the Olympic Council of Asia
Edition 39 - October 2017
AMAZING AIMAG!
Ashgabat 2017 Special Edition OCA President’s Congratulations Full Medal Rankings Sport by Sport Coverage
Contents
Inside our 36-page Sporting Asia “Ashgabat 2017” Special Edition
4
11
18
30
34 Page 02
3 4–5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 – 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 – 31 32 – 33 34 35 36
President’s Message Overview, Facts Box Full Medal Rankings Basketball 3x3 Belt Wrestling Billiard Sports Bowling Chess DanceSport
Sporting Asia is the official newsletter of the Olympic Council of Asia, published quarterly. Executive Editor / Director General Husain Al-Musallam husain@ocasia.org Director, Int’l & NOC Relations Vinod Tiwari vinod@ocasia.org Director, Asian Games Department Haider A. Farman haider@ocasia.org
Equestrian Jumping Futsal
Editor Jeremy Walker jeremy@ocasia.org
Indoor Athletics Indoor Tennis
Executive Secretary Nayaf Sraj nayaf@ocasia.org
Ju Jitsu Opening Ceremony Photo Gallery Kickboxing Kurash Muaythai
Olympic Council of Asia PO Box 6706, Hawalli Zip Code 32042 Kuwait Telephone: +965 22274277 - 88 Fax: +965 22274280 - 90 Email: info@ocasia.org Website: www.ocasia.org
Sambo Short Course Swimming Taekwondo Track Cycling
os: Photat 2017
com) ab Ashg bat2017. a g h n s .a de (www Julian Lin rch l Chu e a h Mic injae Kim M
Traditional Wrestling Weightlifting Wrestling Sheikh Ahmad in Ashgabat Quote…Unquote: Athletes’ Comments AIMAG Back Story Ashgabat 2017 Scrapbook Closing Ceremony: Spasiba Ashgabat!
Front cover TURKMEN PRIDE: Local hero Lachyn Badaglyyeva celebrates her victory in Traditional Wrestling. Lachyn, 22, won two gold medals at -52kg: Freestyle and Classic Style.
President’s Message
ASHGABAT 2017 – THE BEST AIMAG EVER!
O
ur 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games not only lived up to expectations but exceeded them on all fronts during a memorable stay in Ashgabat. First of all I must congratulate the President of Turkmenistan, HE Mr Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, for this outstanding success. Since the OCA awarded the 5th AIMAG to Ashgabat in 2010, I followed the progress of the preparations very closely and visited Ashgabat on several occasions. Over the years I developed a firm friendship with the esteemed President and built a strong working relationship based on trust and cooperation. His Excellency the President followed the progress every step of the way, and the games would not have happened without his vision and his day-today involvement. So I would like to say a big “thank you” to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for making sure our 5th AIMAG ran so smoothly and provided the athletes and officials with an experience they will never forget.
Teamwork: The OCA President and the President of Turkmenistan, HE Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, in Ashgabat during the 5th AIMAG. (Photo: Kim Minjae)
The venues inside the Ashgabat Olympic Complex were state-of-the-art and will leave a permanent legacy that the city, country, continent and beyond can call on for years to come in terms of hosting international sports events in world-class stadiums. Thanks to the AIMAG, there is also now an abundance of human resources – sports leaders, administrators, staff and volunteers who can organise and manage such events on the back of their experience, first-hand knowledge and hands-on involvement. The games could not have been so successful without the support, hard work and enthusiasm of our National Olympic Committees, Asian and International Sport Federations, sponsors, media and all other key stakeholders. The teamwork, unity and solidarity of all partners shone through once again. Our attentions now turn to the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia, from August 18 to September 2, 2018 – and the next chapter in the OCA’s success story. Spasiba Ashgabat!
Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah President, Olympic Council of Asia President, Association of National Olympic Committees Chairman, IOC Olympic Solidarity Commission
Page 03
A I MAG Ov e rv i e w …. . AI MAG O v er v iew ….
FIVE REASONS WHY THE 5TH ASIAN INDOOR AND MART
1 Venues: State-of-the-art…world class…..space-age design……No matter what words were used to describe the stadiums inside the Ashgabat Olympic Complex, all of them were accurate and none of them was over the top. Thirteen of the 15 competition venues were inside the complex, making for an event largely stress-free from transport issues.
2 Asia-Oceania-Refugees: The official participation of the Oceania NOCs and a five-strong Athlete Refugee Team in an OCA event for the first time brought a great deal of energy and vibrancy to the occasion, especially in the Opening Ceremony Athletes’ Parade with such exotic combinations as Pakistan-Palau-Palestine-Papua New Guinea and Samoa-Saudi Arabia-Singapore-Solomon Islands. Magical! Page 04
3 World News: Ashgabat 2017 made headlines around the world thanks to a World Record performance by Iran’s Sohrab Moradi in the men’s 94kg weightlifting - one of the highest-profile sports in Olympic Games history. (See Page 28). This achievement really put the 5th AIMAG on the global sports map and raised the bar – and the profile – of the whole games.
AI M A G Ov e rv i ew ‌. . AI MAG O v er v iew ‌.
IAL ARTS GAMES WAS SUCH A SPECTACULAR SUCCESS ASHGABAT 2017
Opening Ceremony: Sunday, September 17
4 Olympic Park: The glorious weather and close proximity of the competition venues inside the Ashgabat Olympic Complex encouraged the locals to enjoy the AIMAG experience and contribute to a healthy lifestyle at the same time. Every day, long lines of spectators snaked through the sun-baked park as the monorail glided silently above, the flags flew in the autumnal breeze and the music created a happy mood.
Opened by: The President of Turkmenistan and Turkmenistan NOC, HE Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Closing Ceremony: Wednesday, September 27 Closed by: President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Venue: Ashgabat Olympic Stadium Teams: 65 OCA: 45 Oceania: 19 Athlete Refugee Team: 1 Athletes: 4,500 Sports: 21 Venues: 15 Volunteers: 8,000
5 New World: If large parts of the world came to Ashgabat, then a new world opened up for many of the visitors as they glimpsed the history, culture and traditions of this proud Central Asian nation through the window of the AIMAG. The interaction and mutual interest was friendly and spontaneous, and the local women in their striking Turkmen Koynek and vibrant headgear were a regular target for souvenir photos.
Local staff trained at the AIMAG Academy: 450 International Media: 740 Motto: Health. Inspiration. Friendship. Mascot: Wepaly Page 05
Final Medals Table
Rank
NOC
Total
1
Turkmenistan
89
70
86
245
2
People's Republic of China
42
32
23
97
3
Islamic Republic of Iran
36
23
59
118
4
Kazakhstan
28
28
40
96
5
Uzbekistan
24
33
74
131
6
Thailand
21
20
29
70
7
Republic of Korea
15
11
15
41
8
Kyrgyzstan
13
20
37
70September
9
Vietnam
13
8
19
40
10
Hong Kong, China
10
11
14
35
11
India
9
12
19
40
12
Chinese Taipei
9
7
12
28
13
Mongolia
5
10
15
30
14
United Arab Emirates
5
4
8
17
15
Qatar
4
4
3
11
16
Iraq
4
3
6
13
17
Tajikistan
3
14
34
51
18
Saudi Arabia
3
5
2
10
19
Philippines
2
14
14
30
20
Japan
2
5
10
17
21
Indonesia
2
4
14
20
22
Pakistan
2
3
16
21
23
Bahrain
2
0
1
3
24
Jordan
1
2
14
17
25
Sri Lanka
1
2
1
4
26
Afghanistan
1
1
10
12
27
Fiji
1
1
0
2
28
Syrian Arab Republic
1
0
5
6
29
Malaysia
0
1
0
1
29
Marshall Islands
0
1
0
1
31
Lebanon
0
0
4
4
32
Australia
0
0
2
2
33
Independent Olympic Athletes
0
0
1
1
33
Macau, China
0
0
1
1
33
Samoa
0
0
1
1
33
Singapore
0
0
1
1
Page 06
Chinese Taipei's Hung Yu-ting won gold in the women's taekwondo Under 49kg class.
Rio 2016 silver medallist Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines added another silver medal at Ashgabat in the women's weightlifting -53kg.
DanceSport bronze for Macau, China in the Viennese Waltz through Tam Ka Pan (right) and Vong Weng Lam
Basketball 3x3
W
orld powerhouse Qatar showed their class once again by winning the men’s title, 22-12, against Iraq in the gold medal match. Veteran Erfan Saeed, 33, was unstoppable for Qatar, top-scoring with 11 points from perfect 7/7 shooting. His bounty comprised of three 1-pointers and four from 2-point range as the Iraqis could not counter his 2.02-metre frame. Mongolia beat Kyrgyzstan 21-11 to take the bronze. The women’s final was much closer as Thailand edged Uzbekistan 22-20 thanks to an overtime 2-point basket by Thidaporn Maihom, taking her to a team-high nine points. Penphan Yothanan added eight points for the Thais. Turkmenistan beat Syria 15-12 to win the bronze.
Turkmenistan’s Ayna Gokova takes on the Syrian defence.
Qatar showed their world-class skills in winning the men's 3x3 title. Page 07
Belt Wrestling
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ith 58 events - 34 for men and 24 for women - host nation Turkmenistan filled their boots (or should it be belts?) by winning a colossal 39 gold medals over the five days of competition. Add in 23 silver medals and 23 bronze, and Turkmenistan won 85 of their 245 total medals in this one sport alone. Pride of place went to Seydi Batyrow, who picked up four gold medals in the men’s -100kg categories. Five more of the 12 competing teams also won Belt Wrestling gold. Kyrgyzstan went home with five titles, while Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Iran all won four. Mongolia claimed two of the gold medals.
Gripping stuff as the grapplers hit the deck.
The four competition mats produced non-stop thrills and spills. Page 08
Billiard Sports
C
hina potted five of the 13 gold medals on offer, three more than the next best, Turkmenistan, with two. Iran, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan and India all won one gold medal apiece. China’s golden collection came from Yan Bingtau in the men’s six-red snooker singles, the pair of LV Haotian and Liu Haitao in the men’s nine-ball pool scotch doubles, Zhao Xintong in the much-coveted men’s snooker singles, Chen Siming in the women’s 10-ball pool singles and Han Yu in the women’s nine-ball pool singles. The various disciplines in the Billiard Sports Arena attracted 152 players.
China's Yan Bingtao helped his team win five gold medals.
Qatar’s Ahmed Saif is deep in thought as he chalks his cue. Page 09
Bowling
K
orea’s Baek Seung-ja left Ashgabat with two gold medals and a silver as the Koreans finished top of the rankings at the Bowling Centre. The Koreans won three of the six events thanks to the efforts of the 26-year-old Baek, champion in the women’s singles and also a member of the successful women’s team of four on the last morning of the games. She added a silver in the women’s doubles. Korea’s third bowling gold medal came from Cho Young-seon and Kang Hee-won in the men’s doubles. Chinese Taipei won the men’s team of four; China claimed the women’s doubles through Zhang Chunli and Zhang Yuhong, and Annop Arromsaranon was Thailand’s hero in the men’s singles.
Turkmenistan’s Geldi Garayew gets down to business.
Korean leftie Hong Hae Ni won gold in the women’s team of four. Page 10
Chess
C
hina and Vietnam dominated the board by winning eight of the 10 gold medals available. There were five events in both the men’s and women’s competitions at the Chess Arena, attracting 147 players. Tan Zhongyi, 26, was the undoubted star of the Chinese team, recording a hat trick of gold medals in the women’s standard individual, women’s rapid team and women’s blitz team. China’s other gold medals came in the men’s blitz team under-23 and men’s rapid team under-23. Vietnam’s Le Quang Liem, also 26, matched Tan’s golden hat trick on the men’s side by winning the standard individual, rapid team and blitz team. Iran (women’s blitz team under-23) and Kazakhstan (women’s rapid team under-23) picked up the other two gold medals.
Wadima Humaid Al Kalbani of the UAE is a picture of concentration.
Turkmenistan’s Mahri Geldiyeva plans her next move. Page 11
DanceSport
D
anceSport dazzled the sell-out crowds through 11 events on two days of competition at the 1,000-capacity arena. The first day was devoted to the Standard dances of Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep, plus the Salsa, while the second day focused on the Latin styles of Samba, Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive. China won four of the five Standard dances - and five gold medals in all - before Korea took over on the second day by bagging three of the five Latin titles. Japan and Kyrgyzstan also went home with a gold medal, as did Vietnam by winning the Salsa.
Vietnam’s Salsa champions Trung Kien Nguyen (left) and Hong Anh Pham.
Korea’s Kang Munseong (right) and Park Jisoo won gold in the Cha Cha Cha and Rumba. Page 12
Equestrian Jumping
A
16km drive from the Ashgabat Olympic Complex, the 600-capacity Equestrian Centre was a sight to behold as it hosted the pageantry and splendour of the team jumping and individual jumping competitions. Saudi Arabia won an incredibly tense team event with zero penalty points, pushing Qatar into the silver medal position despite only one time fault against their name. Syria won team bronze. Two days later, Qatar’s Hamid Al Attiayah, 22, raced to a swashbuckling gold medal in the individual event after a sevenrider jump-off. Saudi Arabia and Iran won silver and bronze, respectively, in the individual event.
Qatar's Hamid Al Attiayah won the individual jumping gold in thrilling style.
Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Waleed Al Sharbatly goes clear in the team jumping competition. Page 13
Futsal
F
utsal favourites Iran romped to the men’s title with a thumping 7-1 victory over Uzbekistan in the final after leading 2-0 at the break. Javid Mahdi led the rout with four goals. In the bronze medal play-off, Japan edged Afghanistan 3-1 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. In the women’s event, Thailand beat Japan 3-1 in the final thanks to two late goals after Japan had pulled level to 1-1 in the 35th minute. Iran took the bronze with a comprehensive 5-1 victory over China on the back of a hat trick from Sara Sherbeigi.
China's Wang Ting prepares to unleash a left-foot thunderbolt. Page 14
Get in there! Iran's Saeid Ahmad Abbasi celebrates a goal.
Indoor Athletics
T
he indoor athletics proved to be an exciting spectacle over the three days of competition in a worldclass venue that attracted 356 athletes. Fourteen teams won at least one gold medal, while 19 went home with a medal of some colour. Kazakhstan topped the medal standings with six gold, including a long jump/triple jump double for 32-year-old Olga Rypakova, London 2012 Olympic triple jump champion and bronze medal-winner at Rio 2016. India also excelled with five gold medals to finish second to Kazakhstan, while Saudi Arabia and Qatar both won two gold medals. Kazakhstan and Thailand finished the indoor athletics with a total of 10 medals apiece.
Kazakhstan’s Ivan Ivanov celebrates victory in the men’s shot put.
Uzbekistan’s Nadiya Dusanova wins the women’s high jump. Page 15
Indoor Tennis
I
n an all-India men’s singles final, 20-year-old Davis Cup player Sumit Nagal beat Vijay Natarajan 6-1, 6-1 to give India its second gold medal of the competition. Natarajan had teamed up with Jagadeesan Vishnuvardhan to win the men’s doubles the previous day. India also won three silver medals in a fruitful tennis expedition. Thailand won two gold medals in mixed doubles and women’s doubles and Indonesia’s Beatrice Gumulya claimed the women’s singles crown by beating Aldila Sutjiadi 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in an all-Indonesia showdown.
s
The tennis ran the length of the games, from September 17-27, and attracted 88 players across the five events.
India's Sumit Nagal on his way to the gold medal in men's singles.
Thailand’s Nicha Lertpitaksinchai (left) and Nuttanon Kadchapanan enjoy themselves on the way to the Mixed Doubles gold medal.
Page 16
Ju Jitsu
T
urkmenistan proved their all-round skills by winning seven gold medals, seven silver and five bronze for a total of 19. The United Arab Emirates, a rising force in ju jitsu, went 4-4-7 for 15 total medals, and Thailand finished third in the sport’s rankings with 4-2-6 for 12 medals in total. The Philippines took home two gold medals, along with three silver, and there was one gold medal each for eight other nations as 18 teams found a place on the podium. The growing popularity of ju jitsu around the continent was highlighted by an entry of 238 athletes.
Jordan's Rana Qubbaj on her way to victory in the women's -70kg.
Turkmenistan's Jelilmuhammed Hojamuradov and Murad Gimmiyev win the men's duo classic on Saturday, September 16. Page 17
Op e n in g C e re mo n y P h ot o G aller y ‌. .
A warm welcome to Ashgabat from the dazzling performers on horseback.
The colours on the giant cylindrical screen were constantly changing.
The magnificent Opening Ceremony is a sight to behold. Page 18
O p e n i n g Cer emon y P h ot o G aller y ‌..
AIMAG mascot Wepaly stands proudly for the national anthem.
The cauldron is about to be lit.
Turkmenistan’s rich past comes to life.
Local spectators and visitors from overseas were treated to a cultural extravaganza. Page 19
Kickboxing
I
ran and Turkmenistan were the two major powers, claiming nine of the 15 events between them.
Iran topped the rankings with five gold medals, and 12 in all, while the host nation won four gold medals and 14 in total. Iran’s five gold medallists included 30-year-old Shahnaz Mirheidari - their sole female champion - in the women’s point fighting -55kg. Kazakhstan went home with two gold medals, while Tajikistan, Iraq, Kyrgyzstan and China all won one title. A total of 138 athletes joined the kickboxing competition, and 13 NOCs found a place on the medal podium.
On the attack!
Kickboxing was fast and furious throughout the competition. Page 20
Kurash
I
n their national sport, the Uzbeks showed just who was boss by taking home nine of the 15 gold medals, along with one bronze. Uzbekistan won five men’s and four women’s titles, with five of their nine gold medals coming on a dominant final night of the three-day competition at the Martial Arts Arena. Their rivals were left fighting for the scraps, and Turkmenistan impressed by gathering a total of 20 medals, comprised of two gold, seven silver and 11 bronze medals to keep their flag prominent in the victory ceremony. Chinese Taipei also won two titles, while Iran and Vietnam claimed one gold each.
Spectacular stuff in Kurash.
The two fighters struggle for supremacy. Page 21
Muaythai
A
s Muaythai spreads around Asia and the world, 15 NOCs earned a place on the podium in the 14 events for 146 fighters. There was only going to be one country at the top of the medal rankings, however, and Thailand lived up to expectations by battling their way to seven gold medals - four in the men, three in the women - and three silver medals. Iran came in second with three gold medals, and Turkmenistan claimed two gold, one silver and eight bronze for a total of 11. Vietnam and Iraq went home with one gold medal apiece.
T
U
RK M
E N I ST A N
Iran's Keivan Soleimani wins gold in the men's -75kg Muaythai.
As usual, Muay was no place for the faint-hearted. Page 22
Sambo
W
ith 23 gold medals up for grabs, Turkmenistan consolidated their position at the top of the overall medal table by adding eight titles here. With six silver and nine bronze medals, the host nation won a total of 23 medals in the old Soviet army sport. Competition was tough, though, especially in the brutal Combat Sambo style, and Kazakhstan chased the Turkmens all the way with seven gold medals – including four on the opening “Sambo Super Sunday”. With the five “Stans” enjoying total domination, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan both won three gold medals and Tajikistan earned two.
A bruised, battered but happy Beknazar Uulu Raiymkul (Kyrgyz Republic).
Turkmenistan won eight gold medals in Sambo, more than any other country. Page 23
Short Course Swimming
F
our nights of competition at the state-of-the-art Aquatics Centre produced 30 gold medals, including 11 for China, five for Korea and four for Hong Kong. China won 29 swimming medals in total. The most decorated individual was China’s Sun Meichen, who went home with four gold medals by winning the women’s 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 4 x 100m freestyle relay and 4 x 50m freestyle relay. The 18-year-old Rio Olympian’s achievements also included three silver medals and two AIMAG records in the women’s 200m freestyle (1:55.57) and 100m freestyle (53.31). Chinese Taipei (3), Kazakhstan (3), Thailand (2) and Vietnam (2) also found gold in the 25m pool.
Finding a nice rhythm in the pool.
And they’re off….in the women’s backstroke. Page 24
Taekwondo
W
ith seven gold medals and 13 in all, Iran finished ahead of the Korean taekwondo masters on both counts at the top of the rankings for 18 events. Iran won five of the seven men’s weight categories, including the three heaviest events. Korea came in second with four titles, followed by China and Chinese Taipei with two gold medals apiece and all in women’s events. The South East Asian trio of Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam all picked up one gold medal – all in Poomsae – and 16 teams found a place on the podium.
Korea's Myeong Mina beats Uzbekistan’s Svetlana Osipova to win the women's -73kg final.
Iran's Saeid Rajabi won a close final in the men's -87kg division. Page 25
Track Cycling
L
ondon Olympic bronze medallist Sarah Lee Wai Sze of Hong Kong, China, led her team to the top of the medal rankings inside the Velodrome by racing to a hat trick of gold medals. The 30-year-old Lee, a four-time Athlete of the Year in Hong Kong, won the women’s sprint, women’s keirin and women’s team sprint with Li Yin Yin and Ma Wing Yu. Hong Kong won five of the nine gold medals, with three for Kazakhstan and one for Iran.
s
Hong Kong’s two other champions were Leung Chun Wing in the men’s omnium and Diao Xiaojuan in the women’s omnium.
Iran celebrate victory in the men's team sprint.
Hong Kong's Sarah Lee Wai Sze races to the gold medal in the women's team sprint. Page 26
Traditional Wrestling
T
urkmenistan won 23 of the 26 gold medals on offer over the two days of competition, with Uzbekistan (2) and Mongolia (1) claiming the other three titles. In all, the hosts won 46 medals in this sport, with 14 silver and nine bronze medals along the way. Seydi Batyrow won two gold medals in Traditional Wrestling, adding to the four he collected in Belt Wrestling, to give him six gold medals in total for the AIMAG – the most of any athlete. In the women’s events, Zuhra Madraimowa and Nasiba Surkiyewa both won five gold medals – three in Belt Wrestling and two in Traditional Wrestling.
Turkmenistan's Toylymyrat Durdymyradow in action in the Traditional Wrestling.
Over you go! Traditionally hard-fought in Traditional Wrestling. Page 27
Weightlifting
T
he competition attracted 188 entries for 16 events and produced a World Record for Iran’s Sohrab Moradi in the men’s 94kg category. The Rio Olympic champion broke a mark dating back to 1999 with his total lift of 413kg (185kg snatch and 228kg clean and jerk) - an improvement of 1kg. China won six of the 16 events, including five in the eight women’s weight categories, while Uzbekistan and Vietnam picked up two gold medals apiece. Six other nations won one gold medal, including Fiji’s 18-year-old Eileen Cikamatana in the women’s 90kg. This was the only gold of the games for the Oceania countries.
T
Ь R K M E N I S T A N Iran's Sohrab Moradi broke the world record in the men's 94kg category.
Mongolia's Ankhtsetseg Munkhjantsan, 19, won the women’s 75kg event with a combined total lift of 235kg. Page 28
Wrestling
I
ran dominated the three-day competition by winning nine gold medals, all in the men’s events – three in Freestyle and six in Greco-Roman. With three silver and four bronze, the Iranians picked up a total of 16 medals in one of their favourite and most productive sports. On the other hand, China’s five gold medals all came in the women’s events, while Uzbekistan picked up three titles in Men’s Freestyle. Five other nations won one gold medal, including Japan – the major power in Olympic women’s wrestling.
Capturing the passion and emotion of sport.
Women's wrestling at the Main Indoor Arena. Page 29
Sheikh Ahmad in Ashgabat
The OCA President presents e-Sports medals.
Sheikh Ahmad is flanked by OCA Hon. Life Vice President Wei Jizhong (left) and OCA Media Committee Chairman Charles Lo at the OCA Press Conference.
Sheikh Ahmad is accompanied by ONOC President Dr. Robin Mitchell.
Sheikh Ahmad greets the delegation from Indonesia. Page 30
Sheikh Ahmad in Ashgabat
The Sheikhmobile......the distinctive green Rolls-Royce awaits its next mission for the OCA President.
Sheikh Ahmad in deep discussion with Philippines NOC.
Sheikh Ahmad receives a bouquet of flowers on his arrival at Ashgabat.
Sheikh Ahmad with members of the African media after his OCA press conference. Page 31
Quote ..... Unquote ..... Quote ..... Unquote ......
‘BEAUTIFUL ..…. FANTASTIC …... PARADISE’
‘
It’s been really nice. I’ve never been to a country like this where everything is white, so it was very beautiful to see. What they’ve made here is very, very pretty.
‘
India’s men’s singles tennis champion, Sumit Nagal.
‘
This place is like paradise - that’s the only word I can use to describe it. The facilities for the athletes at the village and in the training areas are fantastic; even the starting blocks there are brand new. There are no indoor tracks where we are from so this is the first time we’ve ever trained indoors. Federated States of Micronesia sprinter Alvin Martin.
‘
‘
Our participation in Ashgabat 2017 is way better than anything that has happened to athletics in Oceania in a long, long time. The experience of competing against Asian athletes is going to help us improve tremendously.
‘
Samoan sprinter Jeremy Dodson.
‘
We really help each other. Before the competition we were just team-mates. Now we have become not only friends but we feel like brothers and sisters.
‘
Turkmenistan’s women’s - 56kg Sambo champion, Rusana Nurjawowa.
‘
My mother, Esmat, is my inspiration. When I lose a bout she never scolds me; she just says ‘never mind my boy, keep trying. The only thing I wish for you is to return home safe.
‘
Iranian wrestler Mahdi Ebrahimi after winning the men’s -80kg Greco-Roman title.
‘
I want to wish our President great health and a long life. I am so grateful that he created such an opportunity for me to be able to compete here. This medal is a great source of pride for my country.
‘
Turkmenistan’s Gocmyrat Jumanyyzaow, kickboxing gold medallist in men’s Low Kick -71kg. The outstanding performances of the home athletes inspired the nation. Page 32
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Quote ..... Unquote ..... Quote ..... Unquote ......
-
ATHLETES FULL OF PRAISE FOR ASHGABAT 2017
‘
Before I dance I always feel nervous, but once the music starts I feel different. I feel happy and my body is full of energy and emotion. I don’t know where this comes from. It’s amazing.
‘
Vietnam’s Hong Anh Pham after her Salsa success in DanceSport.
‘
I have been playing snooker for 37 years. My brother took me to clubs sometimes and I thought it was a good game. It was just day by day and month by month. I was watching Steve Davis and Jimmy White and they inspired me.
‘
Afghanistan’s Salih Mohammad Mohammadi on his lifelong love of snooker.
‘
We’ll occasionally see sharks, but we’ve learned they’re our friends. It’s the ocean, what can you do? They are only little wee sharks. For us it’s just an every-day kind of thing.
‘
Tongan swimmer Noelani Malia Day on training in the ocean.
‘
As an athlete you have to know how to lose. This is sport. Today you are the champion, tomorrow you’re in the back row. Today you’re in the back row, tomorrow you’re the champion. There is no way around it. That’s why it’s sport. It has its own rules.
‘
Elmira Ibraim of the Kazakhstan swim team.
‘
You have to love your job so you can do it better and you have to love your horse like your children.
‘
Qatar’s Hamad Ali Al Attiayah after winning the individual showjumping gold medal.
‘
To come here to compete and win, and represent Iraq through all the conflict that’s going on there, puts my country back on the map. Not to be taken lightly, not to be looked down upon just because it’s a country that’s going through turmoil.
‘
Iraq’s Shahez Fazil, who won the gold medal in the men’s -86kg Muaythai. The athletes were full of praise for the venues.
Page 33
Back Story
ATHLETES SAMPLE ANTI-DOPING WORLD
T
he OCA takes every opportunity to educate and inform the young athletes of the dangers of doping – and the 5th AIMAG was no exception. An attractive kiosk in the corner of the Main Dining Hall of the Athletes’ Village proved to be a popular meeting point as athletes took part in a computer quiz and won gifts such as T-shirts, pens and stickers.
Athletes join in the fun of learning.
Organisers explained that many of the young athletes had not been exposed to this kind of anti-doping education and had not been asked to provide a sample for testing, as this was the first international event of their career. Information was provided in several languages, making sure everyone went home wiser than before on such an important issue for the Olympic Movement.
Chinese athletes show their support for the anti-doping campaign.
ASHGABAT 2017 PROVIDES PLATFORM FOR E-SPORTS REBOOT
W
ith new leadership in the Asian e-Sports Federation and a new partnership for the OCA with Alisports, e-Sports joined the 5th AIMAG as a demonstration sport. The OCA has a 10-year association with e-Sports, dating back to its debut at the 2nd Asian Indoor Games in Macau, China in 2007, and is now playing a leading role in the development of the booming sport’s administrative infrastructure. The goal is for the International Federation to be recognised by the International Olympic Committee, and Ashgabat 2017 was a big step on this path at the continental level. Over 2,000 players took part in regional qualification, and 56 of them from 10 NOCs contested the finals in four games over three days of competition at the Indoor Athletics Arena: Hearthstone, StarCraft II, King of Fighters XIV and Dota2. Page 34
The e-Sports was easy to follow for the spectators on the big screen.
Ashgabat 2017 Scrapbook
The Sport Hotel at dawn.
Turkmen silks - the perfect gift to take back home.
The breathtaking architecture of Ashgabat.
Welcome to Olympic Park and the OCA's AIMAG 5!
The Russian Market was a popular destination in AIMAG downtime.
Protocol staff at the Equestrian Centre. Page 35
Spasiba, Ashgabat!
Flying into the future: Farewell Turkmenistan!
Fireworks light up the sky at the end of the Closing Ceremony on September 27.
OCA
Vision 2014 Program
www.ocasia.org