World Athletics Championships: Haydar Expresses Regret on Failure to Qualify

Doha, September 30 (QNA) - Qatari athlete Abubaker Haydar expressed Sunday his regret at failing to qualify from the semi-final of the 800 meter race in the World Athletics Championships that are currently taking place in Doha. Speaking exclusively to Qatar News Agency, he said that the competition was very intense and lamented his bad luck at the beginning of the race. He did say however that he gained a huge amount of experience by competing with so many world champions, noting that this is his first time at the world championships. The Qatari athlete added that he was rather fast in the first lap, which led to him slowing down markedly in the final 200 meters. He wished his teammates luck in getting to the podium and adding medals to Qatar's total. He also expressed hope that his participation in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will see him make an improvement. (QNA)