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Tribune News Network
DOHA
Qatari runner Abdalelah Haroun is looking a class apart as he cruised towards double gold at the fifth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on Monday.
But that should not be a surprise as, despite being just 20, the Sudan-born runner has already proved he is among the best in the world.
At the IAAF World Championships in London this August, Haroun won 400m bronze to add to the silver he claimed over 400m at the World Indoors in Portland, the USA, in 2016.
Those followed his 400m victories in 2015 at the Asian Indoor Championships in Doha, Qatar, and the Asian Championships in Wuhan, China.
"I want to win both the 400m and 800m here and that's what I am ready to work for," said Haroun.
Still, it is a packed schedule he faces in the Indoor Athletics Arena having come through three races on Monday."I do what my coach tells me to and I am happy to work hard. It is what I enjoy doing," he added.
Haroun strolled round his 800m heat to win in 1min 56.06sec before returning to the track 70 minutes later and cruising through his 400m heat in 49.09.
After returning for the evening session, Haroun won his 400m semi-final in 48.38, again easing down on the home straight, to reach the final on Tuesday, when he will also tackle his 800m semi-final around 40 minutes earlier.
The 800m final is on Wednesday.
