Sports news: Bahraini achievement in judo, England’s victory, and statements by runner Sebastien Saoui

Bahrain won its first medal ever in judo competitions, during the 20th Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Wednesday.

Bahrain's Sukhrub Bukiev succeeded in clinching the bronze medal in the under-66 kilogram category, defeating South Korea's Chanyoung Kim.

It is the first medal for the Kingdom of Bahrain in the judo competition, since its adoption in the Asian Games in 1986, bringing its total tally to 21 colored medals, distributed between 11 gold and 5 silver, and the same bronze.

Bahrain leads the Arab teams in the medal table, ahead of Kuwait (4 gold, 4 silver, and 4 bronze), and Qatar (3-6-4).

Harry Kane, captain of the England national football team, praised his teammate Anthony Gordon, whom he described as a “difference maker” in the team, as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold, who returned to the squad, after the duo’s brilliance in the victory over the Czechs.

The British news agency "PA Media" reported that coach Thomas Tuchel's team returned to winning ways after its dramatic loss to Spain 2-3 last Saturday, by achieving a much-needed victory in the European Nations League, at the expense of its Czech host 2-0 in Prague, yesterday (Tuesday), after Pavel Schulch was sent off in the first half.

Kane, the all-time top scorer for the England national team, scored the second goal in the victory, after Gordon gave the visitors the lead with a header, following a wonderful cross pass from Alexander-Arnold, shortly after the start of the second half.

Gordon (25 years old) scored in his last 3 international appearances. Kane, the Bayern Munich striker, believes that the player's move from Newcastle to Barcelona contributed to his rise to a new level.

Kane said: “I think that sometimes moving to a big club like this gives you more belief in your abilities and more confidence in yourself.”

He added: “You feel that you belong to the biggest stage, and I think he transferred this feeling to his level with the England national team.”

He stressed: “He was great against Spain on Saturday, and again yesterday he was the difference maker. “He was always looking to play directly, and to be the player who gave us the lead, and he scored a wonderful goal as well.”

He continued: “Trent’s pass was wonderful, but such finishing touches are not easy, and he handled it wonderfully.”

Gordon was the first star of the match in Prague, while Alexander-Arnold's assist was a bright spot in his first start under Tuchel.

It was difficult to imagine Alexander-Arnold's international career continuing under the leadership of the German coach, but injuries contributed to his return to the national team for the first time since June 2025.

“Trent is a great player,” Kane said. His passes, their variety, and his crosses, but he was great defensively today.”

He added: “From our point of view, we know that he is a great player. “Trent just has to keep calm, keep working hard.”

The England national team will continue its four matches in the European Nations League, when it visits Croatia next Saturday, before hosting the Czech national team at Wembley Stadium next Tuesday.

Kane will equal Peter Shilton's record of 125 international matches with the England national team if he participates in both matches, while the striker, who has 87 international goals, is close to scoring a hundred goals with his country's national team.

“I don't like to think too far ahead, but of course the number is getting closer,” Kane said. Scoring one hundred goals with the national team would certainly be exceptional.”

Kenyan runner, Sebastian Saweh, who became the first man to complete the marathon in less than two hours, believes that it is still possible to record faster times in the 42.195 km race. In April, the 31-year-old man recorded a time of 1:59:30 hours in the London Marathon, breaking the two-hour barrier that many considered unachievable.

Saweh told Agence France-Presse, in an interview conducted with him in Berlin: “I know that it is possible to run in less than 1:59 hours,” adding: “It is difficult to predict the speed that I can achieve, but (it is possible) if there is good weather and a suitable rhythm and I am in good physical condition.”

Sawayh added that other records will fall with the significant increase in the popularity of this sport and the development of technology, saying: “We do not know what the coming years will hold for us. Perhaps other people will come and achieve something great.” There are no limits at the moment.”

Even Sawiyeh himself was surprised by what he achieved in London, as he said: “I did not expect to achieve less than two hours. I wanted to keep my title. When I saw it (the time) with my own eyes as I was about to finish the race, it was a surprise to me, and I was very happy and grateful.”

The winner of the 2025 Berlin Marathon was preparing to participate again in the race in the German capital, which was held on Sunday, but he missed due to a broken leg.

He touched on this matter, saying: “It was difficult, but I had to accept it because injuries are part of running.”

Saweh hopes to return to participating in London in 2027, but he has his sights set on achieving “something exceptional” at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He said: “I have now become a bigger personality in athletics, and I have learned a lot. I have also learned that patience is important, and that recovery is important in order to feel fast and strong.”

Saweh was speaking in Berlin just one day after a severe injury ended Ethiopian Tigaste Assefa's hopes of breaking the women's world record.

While the Ethiopian runner was walking at a world record pace until the thirty-fifth kilometer, she suffered a rupture in her Achilles tendon.

Although she covered the last two kilometers with a ruptured Achilles tendon, she was amazingly able to cross the finish line in first place, recording the third best time in the history of the women’s marathon, and the best number for the course before she collapsed.

Saweh spoke about this, saying: “When I saw what happened, I was shocked, because she was running a good race this year in Berlin. “Everything was perfect for her... She was running to achieve everything she had worked for.”

Saweh expressed his confidence in the ability of Assefa, who is 29 years old, to chase the world record, saying: “She will definitely do that, because Tigist is a very strong woman, and her mentality is completely different. She always has the courage to push her limits to the limit.”

The severe injury not only deprived Assefa of the opportunity to make history, but it also robbed her of the opportunity to surpass a record that many believe is tainted by suspicion. Assefa's time of 2:11:04 hours is slightly slower than the record of 2:09:56 hours set by Kenyan Ruth Chepngitich in 2024.

One year later, Chepngitich was banned for three years for doping, but her record still stands. Saweh made a great effort to improve the image, especially in Kenya. There are currently more than 100 athletes suspended due to doping.

For years, Sawiya volunteered to undergo additional intensive examinations, approximately every three days, in addition to national and international requirements.

He said: “Even with what I have achieved, I want to show the world that all athletes do not achieve their results illegally... There was a time when doubt was greater than confidence. It is a good idea for athletes to undergo multiple tests to prove that they are racing and winning fairly. “It shows that we are protecting the sport for the future.”

This month, it was announced that Nairobi will be the first African city to host the World Athletics Championships, which will be in 2029. Saweh hopes that his testing system will contribute to “giving my country a good reputation, and showing that we are fighting doping in multiple ways,” adding: “It is something special for us Kenyans.” “It is an important moment to host the tournament in our country and we appreciate that very much.”