Abubaker Eighatruni (328) finishing third in his 800m heat to contest the final today. Photo Yousef Alajeili

Following the first day of athletics at the 16th Mediterranean Games in Pescara, Italy, there are great expectations for at least another medal Thursday evening, with two Libyans in the final of their respective events. One of them, Mohamed Khwaj, is even favourite to win gold in the 400m. He was fastest qualifier in his semi-final heat 46.15. Also through the final is Abubaker Eighatruni in the 800m.

Mohamed Khwaja had a successful outing on the way to qualifying. He was not only the fastest runner in his heat, making the distance in 46.15 (still outside his personal best), but also among the rest (a field of 20). In his heat he beat off challenges of athletes from Tunisia, Greece, Italy, San Marino and Turkey.

So it is fingers crossed for Khwaj to keep his form and run the race of his life to win much coveted gold medal in the final scheduled for this evening.

In the Men’s 800m, however, Abubaker Eighatruni, running in heat three of the semi-finals finished last in 1:49.87; but in the Women’s 800m Nagah Zentani disappointed by finishing last among the nine athletes in the running, and was the only one to be eliminated from the final. She finished her run in 2:35.12.

In the Men’s Discus event Libya’s representative, Ali Ali finished 9th. His best throw was 54.04 metres. The event was won by a Spanish athlete whose best was 65.58. Eleven competed and there were two non-starters.

Other Libyan athletes in action today include the two 400m hurdles runners, Abubaker Tawerghi in the heat 1 of the semi-finals along with three other runners, and Hamza Deaf in the other heat who faces four other challengers.

In other disciplines, in Equestrianism, in the Individual 1st Qualifier Abdul Fitah Meltan placed best (35th) with only 12 penalty points, followed by and Ashraf El-Ashael and Abdulmagid Abushkiwa sharing 46th place after running up 16 penalty points, while Mohamed El-Ashael was eliminated.

In the Individual 2nd Qualifier Round 2 Abdulmagid Abushkiwa was 36th with 22 penalty points over the two sessions followed by Abdul Fitah Meltan in 41st with 36 penalty points. Mohamed El-Ashael was eliminated, while Ashraf El-Ashael was a non-starter.

In the Team Jumping Event, Libya’s team made up of Meltan, M. El-Ashael, A. El-Ashael and Abushkiwa finished 12th with a total of 129 penalty points over two rounds among 13 teams.

In Golf , after three rounds in the Individual Team event Eltwiri was the best placed Libyan player ending the round 21st (+6). Mohamed Algawi was 30th (+12) and Mohamed Taweri 34th (+14)