Tokyo: Oman’s talented swimmer, Issa al Adawi, will be eager for a solid show during his debut in the 32nd Summer Olympic Games – 2020 Tokyo as he will commence the national team's participation in the top Olympic event.
Al Adawi will begin his competition in the Men’s 100m freestyle competitions on Tuesday beside the top ranking swimmers from different parts of the world.
Despite the expected difficulty in the competition, Issa’s hopes are high to put up a good show and improve his performance. His current best timing is 51.69s.
The 22-year-old was very close to securing a qualified record to the Olympics but he could not take part in many events and championship due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
However, he managed to earn the Olympic invitation card beside his other national athletes including: runners Barakat and Mazoon, shooter Ahmed al Khatri and weightlifter Amur al Khanjri.
Adawi is set for competing in the prestigious Olympic event after he completed his preparatory program for the Tokyo Olympics. The young domestic swimmer was very keen to take part in any friendly and open tournaments in Japan during the last period.
He managed to take place in a domestic swimming tournament in Japan last February at 100 and 200-meter freestyle swimming. He registered his best record which was 50:17 in the Open swimming event in the 100-meter freestyle swimming category in Japan. It is expected that he may register a new record during the Olympics.
Heat three!
Issa al Adawi was assigned in heat three and will be in the seventh line at the Tokyo Aquatics Center among other eight competitors on Tuesday’s race.
As many as 72 swimmers were distributed into nine heats. The best 16 swimmers will advance to the semifinals. Brazil's Cesar Cielo holds the world record of 46.91s which was set in 2009. Heat three will feature swimmers: Miguel Mena (NCA), Jean-LucZephir (LCA), Yousuf AL Matrooshi (UAE), Stefano MIitchell (ANT), Andrew Chetcuti (MNT), Kledi Kadiu (ALB) and Danilo Rosafio (KEN).
Semis round will take place in the following day while the finals is on Thursday where the medals will be delivered to the top three winners. The domestic swimming star will seek to confirm his top show in competing with other opponents from different part of the world.
Kishry meet the Swimming team
Secretary-General of Oman Olympic Committee, Taha al Kishry, met the national swimming team on Monday at the Olympic Village in presence of Kazem al Balushi, Oman’s Chef De Mission.
During the meeting, the Oman Swimming Association chief congratulated swimmer Issa al Adawi and his technical staff on their debut presence in Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“ We are confident that you will represent the Sultanate in an honorable manner and achieve positive and new records,” he added.
OOC Secretary-General appreciated the support received from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth to secure Oman’s presence in top sporting events including the Olympics.
Historic participation
Swimmer Issa al Adawi said that he is proud to represent the Sultanate in Tokyo 2020 Olympics for the first time. “Attendance in the Olympic Games is a great honor for any athlete. During the last period, we had an intensive plan to shape our readiness for my debut in Tokyo 2020. I hope to register outstanding results in this historic participation,” he ended.
Issa’s journey
Oman's most promising swimmer’s journey began in an early stage when he was eleven years old. He has got the full confidence from the technical coaching staff at that time to start taking part in the official tournaments and championships.
The national technical swimming panel recommended the beginning of Issa at the GCC swimming championships.
In 2012, al Adawi had started his first official assignment abroad at GCC tournaments level. During the last eight years, he had demonstrated the titles in different categories and competitions including U-13, U-14, U-15, and U-17 in the 50, 100, and 200 meter freestyle swimming.
After his remarkable results and solid shows at the GCC championship level, swimmer Issa went to participate at the regional and international levels. He took part in many different events and tournaments including his presence at the 2nd Asian Youth Games which was held in Nanjing, China in 2013, 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the last edition of the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesian, Jakarta.
The top officials at Oman Swimming Association (OSA) were eager to involve talented swimmer Issa in the top aquatic sporting showpieces including South Korea World Swimming Championships besides his attendance at the 10th Asian Championship that was held in India two years ago.
Despite the current condition of the ongoing pandemic including its negative impact on the sporting field, swimmer Issa was eager to participate in the tournaments held in Japan as he is a student in Chukyo University including the swimming championship in Japan hosted by the city of Tsuda beside to his recent participation in the Japan Open Swimming Championship and act as Olympic qualifier tournament which was held last June in Tokyo.
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