17-05-2025
Quarter Mile Queen Returns
TDT | Manama
Bahrain's Olympic medalists Naser wins 400m gold, Yavi takes steeplechase silver in Doha
From the Gun
Salwa Eid Naser's incredible 2025 season continued in style on Friday night as the Bahraini sprinter stormed to victory in the women's 400m at the Doha Diamond League. The Olympic gold medallist clocked 49.83 seconds to win convincingly ahead of Poland's Natalia Bukowiecka (50.92) and Lieke Klaver of the Netherlands (51.12), under the floodlights of Suheim bin Hamad Stadium. Naser, who already owns the world-leading time this year with a sensational 48.67, looked relaxed and in rhythm, reminding the field why she remains one of the most feared one-lap runners in the world. Her dominant display set a high bar for the rest of the meet.
Yavi Just Misses Out
Yavi in action in Doha
Bahrain's Winfred Yavi came agonisingly close to another major victory in the women's 3000m steeplechase. In a race decided in the final strides, Yavi finished second in 9:05.26 — just 0.18 seconds behind Kenya's Faith Cherotich, who took gold in 9:05.08. Ethiopia's Sembo Almayew claimed third place in 9:09.27. Yavi, the reigning Olympic champion, remains a clear contender in the event and will take heart from another strong finish against elite competition, ensuring Bahrain's star presence continued to shine.
Big Money, Big Performances
The 2025 Doha meet marked the third stop in this year's Diamond League, delivering a night of elite-level athletics in the Qatari capital. For the first time in the series, athletes who break records at any Diamond League event receive a $5,000 bonus, part of a record prize pool of $9.24 million across the season. This fresh incentive helped bring out the best from a field packed with Olympic and world champions, raising the stakes and intensity.
High Jump Is Back
Doha also saw the return of the men's high jump, absent from last year's edition. In total, the meet featured 14 events — 8 for men and 6 for women — attracting packed stands and high energy from start to finish. With Naser surging and Yavi pushing the pace, Bahrain's athletics stars look set to make even more noise as the Diamond League heats up and the road to global glory continues.
