Latest news with #MeetingInternationaldeMarseille
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar's Abakar and Hemeida star at ISTAF indoor meeting in Berlin
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar's athletes delivered a remarkable performance in the men's 400m hurdles event at the prestigious ISTAF 2025 meet in Berlin's Olympiastadion on Sunday securing two podium spots. Ismail Doudai Abakar surged to victory, crossing the finish line with a season-best time of 48.04 seconds while Bassem Hemeida captured the bronze medal, setting a new personal best of 48.38 seconds to book his place at the upcoming World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025. Germany's Emil Agyekum secured the silver medal by equalling his personal best with a time of 48.21 seconds. Abakar and Hemeida were both within the qualifying standard for the Worlds - 48.50 secs. Abakar had previously qualified for the World Championships after clocking a time of 48.49 seconds at the Meeting International de Marseille two weeks back. Apart from the one-lap hurdlers, Ammar Ismail Yahia Ibrahim will also represent Qatar at the Tokyo Worlds, after he qualified for the 400m as the reigning Asian Champion. Qatar's men's 4x400m relay team - Abderrahman Samba, Hemeida, Ashraf Hussen Osman and Ibrahim - will also be in action at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium, following their qualification with a national record time of 3:00.29 at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou in March.
Miami Herald
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU Olympian Returns to Elite Form in First Race Back
Randolph Ross wasted no time making an impact. In his first race after a three-year suspension, the former HBCU Olympic Gold Medalist from North Carolina A&T ran 45.41 seconds in the men's 400 meters at the Meeting International de Marseille. He finished second behind fellow American Demarius Smith, who won with a personal best of 45.19. The performance was a strong return. While it wasn't close to Ross's personal best of 43.85-one of the fastest 400-meter times in history-it was enough to turn heads. His time ranked among the top 25 by an American this season and showed he still belongs on the track. The race marked more than just a finish line. It was a test of whether Ross still had the speed and mindset that once made him a rising star. After missing three years due to a ban for whereabouts failures and tampering, Ross is back-and still competitive. He continued to train, though restrictions prevented him from working with USATF-affiliated coaches or athletes. One exception allowed him to continue training with his father due to their family connection. Now that he can, the 24-year-old HBCU athlete and Olympic Gold Medalist aims to rebuild his career. Ross opened his return in Marseille, and if he competes again this summer, strong results could help reopen doors to national and international competition. His story continues to resonate, especially in the HBCU sports world. North Carolina A&T helped develop Ross into a world-class sprinter. His father, Olympian Duane Ross, guided him through college and still supports his training. That foundation helped Randolph become an NCAA champion, an Olympian, and one of the brightest prospects in American track. Now, after years away, he's working to prove that one mistake does not define a career. The early signs are encouraging. And if Marseille was any indication, Randolph Ross's comeback may just be getting started. The post HBCU Olympian Returns to Elite Form in First Race Back appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Qatar Tribune
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar's Ismael qualifies for Tokyo Worlds
Qatar athlete Ismael Doudai Abakar has secured a spot at the World Athletics Championships after a brilliant victory at the Meeting International de Marseille in France. Abakar won the 400m hurdles in a new meet record time of 48.49 seconds, dipping just inside the 48.50s entry standard required for the global event. The performance highlights his excellent form, improving upon his 48.75s run in Ostrava last month. Joining Abakar in Tokyo at the September 13-21 Worlds would be the nation's 4x400m relay squad, featuring Abderrahman Samba, Bassem Hemeida, Ashraf Hussen Osman, and Ammar Ismail Yahia Ibrahim. Hemeida (400m hurdles) and Ibrahim (400m) are also set to compete in the individual events following their qualification as reigning Asian Champions.
Miami Herald
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU Olympic Gold Medalist Returns After Three-Year Ban
After three years away from competition, Randolph Ross is set to return to the track. The former HBCU standout and Olympic Gold Medalist from North Carolina A&T will compete in the men's 400 meters on Sunday at the Meeting International de Marseille in France. The event is part of the World Athletics Continental Tour (bronze level) and marks his first race since receiving a suspension in 2022. Ross, now 24, was once one of the brightest young talents in American track. While competing for North Carolina A&T, he became a two-time NCAA champion and helped the United States win gold in the 4×400-meter relay at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He trained under his father, former Olympian Duane Ross, and together they turned A&T into one of the most dominant HBCU track programs in history. That success came to an abrupt stop in July 2022. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) suspended Ross just before the World Championships in Oregon. The reason: three "whereabouts failures" within a 12-month span. These failures meant that officials were unable to locate him for required drug testing. Later that year, the AIU made the suspension official. Randolph Ross was banned for three years, and the penalty included an added charge of "tampering." During the investigation, he admitted to altering the date on a confirmation email related to his testing location. This misstep, while not a failed drug test, was treated as a serious violation. In an interview with Track & Field News, Ross accepted full responsibility. "The whole thing came down to being my fault," he said. However, he also expressed concern about how heavily administrative errors were punished. Ross explained that the missed tests occurred during a hectic period of his life. He competed at nationals, moved from North Carolina to Tennessee, and was preparing to transfer schools. The first missed test happened in April 2022, when Ross forgot to update his location ahead of a meet in Gainesville, Florida. The second came during the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where he defended his 400m title. Ross argued that anti-doping officials could have located him at the meet, but noted that the rules still required formal updates through an app. The third failure was more complex. Randolph Ross had moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, but the AIU still visited his old address in Greensboro. While USADA had updated information, the AIU did not. In an attempt to explain the mix-up, Ross submitted a screenshot of an automatically generated email, but changed the date on it. That change triggered the tampering charge. The AIU treated the missed tests and altered email as a single violation. Because Ross admitted fault and cooperated fully, the original four-year penalty was reduced to three. Still, the ban had significant consequences. Ross lost his spot on the U.S. team, his college eligibility, and a likely professional contract. He also missed the chance to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. During his suspension, Ross completed his finance degree at North Carolina A&T and began studying for a real estate license. He continued to train, though restrictions prevented him from working with USATF-affiliated coaches or athletes. One exception allowed him to continue training with his father due to their family connection. Now, as of July 1, Ross is eligible to compete again. Sunday's race in Marseille will be his first test back. The result will be closely watched-not just because of the controversy that preceded it, but because of what it represents: the return of an HBCU athlete who once ran one of the fastest 400m times in history, and appeared poised for global stardom. The post HBCU Olympic Gold Medalist Returns After Three-Year Ban appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
