UAE’s Saif Bin Futtais’ battle for glory at the Tokyo Olympics came to an end on Monday after he finished 24th in the men’s skeet shooting competition.
The Emirati, who scored 70 points (24, 23, 23) in the first three rounds on Sunday, secured 47 points (23, 23) in the final two rounds to end the competition with 117 points.
Futais rued lack of preparation for the event over his dismal run. “Preparing for the Tokyo Olympics was not easy in the current coronavirus pandemic situation. Most of the clubs and sports centers were closed due to the COVID-19 which affected all the athletes taking part in the event,” he added.
The 47-year-old shooter thanked the National Olympic Committee and General Sports Authority for their support.
In the skeet qualifications, each shooter pulls the trigger 125 times across five series and from eight shooting stations arranged in a semi-circle. The top six qualify for the finals, where they shoot 60 targets.
American shooter Vincent Hancock won the men’s gold for the third time. Hancock, who had won in Beijing (2008) and London (2012), finished ahead of Jesper Hansen of Denmark, who settled for the silver, while the bronze went to Kuwait’s Abdullah Al Rashidi.
UAE judoka Victor Scvortov also bowed out of the Tokyo Games. Scvortov lost to Sweden’s Tommy Macias in the men’s 73 kg category round of 32 clash.
On Tuesday, promising swimmer Yousuf Al Matrooshi will make his Olympic debut in the pool when he competes in the 100-metre freestyle event.
Sultan Al Samahi, President of UAE Swimming Federation, said: “Participation at the Tokyo Olympics will definitely help the Matrooshi in the long run as the swimmer is getting a chance to compete against the best athletes of the world.”
He also hailed the support of the General Sports Authority and the National Olympic Committee which motivates the UAE athletes.
Another judoka Ivan Remarenco, who won bronze at the 2014 World Judo Championships, will participate in the over 100-kg event. He will lock horns with Canadian Shady El Nahas of Canada in the round of 32 clash on Thursday.
In the track and field competition, UAE sprint star Hassan Al Noubi will compete in the 100-metre heats on Saturday.
