The UAE cycling team set a new Arab record on the track at the Asian Games, clocking 4:26.466 in the Team Pursuit. The team, comprised of brothers Yousif and Badr Mirza, Ahmed Al Mansouri and Majid Al Balooshi, beat Iran for the first time to place seventh at the Incheon International Velodrome.
They beat their own previous Arab record of 4:28.
“You know we are new to the track so we are very, very happy with this Arab record,” Yousif told Sport360°. “We improved our own record by two seconds and beat the Iranians for the first time. I have the Omnium tomorrow and Ahmed has the 200m. And of course we’re looking forward to the road race as that is the event I prefer.”
Gold was clinched by the Chinese team, who avenged their loss in the Team Sprint the previous day to South Korea and beat the hosts to top the podium in the pursuit.
In handball, the UAE suffered a 27-15 defeat to Asian champions Qatar, their second loss in Group C. The Emiratis will contest their final group match today against Oman, who beat China 32-25.
The UAE still have an outside chance of making it to the next stage. Also, the UAE swimming team will start their campaign today with Mohammed Al Ghaferi contesting the 50m backstroke heats and the relay team taking part in 4x200m freestyle.